Genetius

The study identified the poplar homolog of Arabidopsis HDG11 and generated transgenic poplar hybrids overexpressing PtaHDG11. Constitutive expression conferred markedly improved drought tolerance, as evidenced by higher leaf water content, reduced oxidative damage, up‑regulation of antioxidant genes, and greater post‑stress biomass, while also causing a glabrous phenotype. These results highlight PtaHDG11 as a promising target for breeding drought‑resilient trees.

The study identifies the cysteine‑rich receptor‑like kinase CRK5 as a negative regulator of salicylic‑acid‑mediated cell death and a positive regulator of antioxidant homeostasis during dark‑induced leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Loss‑of‑function crk5 mutants display accelerated senescence, elevated ROS and electrolyte leakage, and altered antioxidant enzyme activities, phenotypes that are rescued by suppressing SA biosynthesis or catabolism. Transcriptome analysis reveals extensive deregulation of senescence‑ and redox‑related genes, highlighting CRK5’s central role in coordinating hormonal and oxidative pathways.

Using laser ablation microscopy, the study dissected the role of the first cell row and a contiguous stem cell quorum in the apical notches of germinating Marchantia gemmae, revealing that these cells are essential for meristem activity and that apical notches communicate via auxin‑mediated signals to regulate dominance and regeneration. The findings support a model of intra‑, inter‑, and extra‑notch communication governing meristem formation and maintenance in Marchantia.

Using the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens, the study shows that loss of autophagy enhances auxin‑driven caulonemata differentiation and colony expansion under low nitrogen or imbalanced carbon/nitrogen conditions, accompanied by higher internal IAA, reduced PpPINA expression, and up‑regulated RSL transcription factors. Autophagy appears to suppress auxin‑induced differentiation during nutrient stress, acting as a hub that balances metabolic cues with hormonal signaling.

The study examined the roles of AtKUP2, AtKUP6, AtKUP8, and GORK potassium transport proteins in guard cell function by performing gas-exchange measurements on mature Arabidopsis leaves. Loss of KUP2/6/8 reduced stomatal conductance, whereas a GORK loss‑of‑function mutant showed increased conductance, yet the magnitude of light‑ and ABA‑induced transpiration changes remained similar across genotypes, suggesting a limited dynamic range for rapid stomatal movements that relies on small ionic osmolytes.

The authors performed a genome-wide analysis of 53 CCCH zinc‑finger genes in pearl millet, identified seven stress‑responsive members and demonstrated that overexpressing PgC3H50 in Arabidopsis enhances drought and salt tolerance. They showed that the ABA‑responsive transcription factor PgAREB1 directly binds the PgC3H50 promoter, activating its expression, as confirmed by yeast one‑hybrid, dual‑luciferase and EMSA assays, defining a new PgAREB1‑PgC3H50 regulatory module.

The abstract proposes that microbial indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) enhances plant thermotolerance by regulating proline metabolism, coordinating early osmoprotective synthesis with later catabolism to support growth and redox balance during heat stress. This regulation is hypothesized to involve integration of auxin perception (HSP90‑TIR1), MAPK signaling (MPK‑IAA8), mitochondrial redox components (SSR1, HSCA2) and interactions with abscisic acid and ethylene, offering a framework for using auxin‑producing microbes to boost heat resilience.

The study characterizes the endophytic fungus Penicillium melinii, isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana roots, as a plant‑growth‑promoting agent that enhances root architecture and biomass across Arabidopsis, quinoa, and tomato. Integrated phenotypic, transcriptomic, and hormonal analyses reveal that the fungus stimulates auxin‑related pathways and modest stress responses, leading to increased tomato yield in field trials, underscoring its value as a model for root development and a sustainable biostimulant.

A comprehensive multi‑environment trial of 437 maize testcross hybrids derived from 38 MLN‑tolerant lines and 29 testers identified additive genetic effects as the primary driver of grain yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Strong general combining ability and specific combining ability patterns were uncovered, with top hybrids delivering up to 5.75 t ha⁻¹ under MLN pressure while maintaining high performance under optimum and drought conditions. The study provides a framework for selecting elite parents and exploiting both additive and non‑additive effects to develop resilient maize hybrids for sub‑Saharan Africa.

The study demonstrates that salinity stress induces a photomorphogenic‑like response in dark‑grown Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, resulting in reduced apical hook curvature and impaired soil emergence. This phenotype is linked to disrupted asymmetric epidermal cell elongation, decreased auxin signaling and PIN3 abundance on the hook’s concave side, repression of BBX28 expression, and loss of a spatial COP1 gradient, highlighting spatial regulation as a key factor in stress‑affected seedling development.