Genetius

This study developed a low-input model to predict daily irrigation demand for greenhouse tomatoes based on solar radiation, evaluating if adding irrigation-solution electrical conductivity (EC) improves accuracy. Results showed that a radiation-only model was highly effective, with EC providing only a small and scenario-dependent improvement. The proposed framework offers a practical tool for irrigation forecasting in soilless tomato cultivation, supporting integrated water-salt management.

This study evaluated the adaptation of 60 quinoa accessions to cold stress by assessing their germination and phenotypic variation across different sowing dates in South-Western Germany. Highland accessions demonstrated superior germination performance under cold stress, while early sowing led to the highest seed yields despite lower emergence rates. The research suggests that combining the cold tolerance of highland types with the higher yielding and faster maturing characteristics of coastal ecotypes could be a promising strategy for breeding improved quinoa varieties for colder climates.

This study investigates the influence of phosphate levels on leaf senescence in rice, revealing that low phosphate supply delays this process and enhances tolerance to oxidative stress, while high phosphate accelerates it. The research identifies MIR827 as a key regulator, as editing this gene reduces phosphorus content and delays senescence. Transcriptomic analysis further uncovers the biological processes involved, offering potential strategies for sustainable rice production.

Researchers used CRISPR/Cas12a to introduce subtle mutations into the rice cytokinin oxidase gene CKX2 in the Samba Mahsuri variety to improve crop yield. The resulting line, KAMALA, exhibited a 19% increase in grain yield along with other beneficial agronomic traits. This genome-edited variety was registered as the first ready for cultivation by Indian farmers following successful field trials.

A study on the conserved DEAD RNA structural element in land plant DEAD-box RNA helicase (DRH) genes reveals it functions as a sensor for RNA helicase activity by controlling alternative splicing in a negative feedback loop. In Arabidopsis thaliana, this DEAD element in DRH1 and its paralog regulates splice site usage to balance transcript and protein levels, preventing severe stress phenotypes caused by unregulated expression.

This study investigated how environmental cues, such as temperature and light, adjust the circadian clock under natural conditions. Researchers found that temperature changes circadian timing and that there are unbalanced effects between light and temperature on entrainment, with extensive circadian modulation of temperature responses. Ultimately, the plasticity of circadian timing allows for flexible responses of the clock and its outputs to environmental stimuli.

This study optimized speed breeding protocols for the forage legumes Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and Medicago truncatula by adjusting light intensity, photoperiod, and light quality. The researchers found that specific light conditions significantly accelerated reproductive development and reduced the time to seed harvest without compromising seed viability. This optimization establishes a practical platform for accelerating the breeding cycles of these important forage crops.

This study identifies ABI4 as a key upstream inhibitor of the transcription factors GLK1 and GLK2 to prevent the excessive accumulation of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) in etiolated seedlings. By regulating Pchlide levels, the ABI4-GLK module prevents the generation of damaging reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen) and subsequent seedling death upon exposure to light. These findings demonstrate a mechanism ensuring etioplast development is tightly controlled to facilitate safe greening during the dark-to-light transition.

Researchers generated a single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) dataset of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) roots colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis. This high-resolution analysis resolved distinct cell populations and a developmental gradient within cortical cells, revealing stage-specific transcriptional signatures and candidate transcription factors that orchestrate the symbiosis. The study provides a valuable resource for identifying genes that coordinate processes like cell cycle reactivation and nutrient integration to facilitate fungal accommodation.

Researchers investigated the effects of phosphate (Pi) and its non-metabolizable analog, phosphite (Phi), on Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. They found that Phi can trigger immune responses in Arabidopsis and reverse Pi-induced disease susceptibility in rice by reprogramming gene expression related to signaling and metabolism.