The study combined high-throughput image-based phenotyping with genome-wide association studies to uncover the genetic architecture of tolerance to the spittlebug Aeneolamia varia in 339 interspecific Urochloa hybrids. Six robust QTL were identified for plant damage traits, explaining up to 21.5% of variance, and candidate genes linked to hormone signaling, oxidative stress, and cell‑wall modification were highlighted, providing markers for breeding.

The study investigates how the timing of the vegetative phase change (VPC) in Arabidopsis thaliana influences drought adaptation, revealing strong genotype-by-environment interactions that create stage-specific fitness tradeoffs. Genotypes from warmer, drier Iberian climates transition earlier, and genome-wide association mapping identifies loci linked to VPC timing and drought response, with several candidates validated using T‑DNA insertion lines.

The study examined how Arabidopsis calcium‑dependent protein kinases AtCPK5 and AtCPK6 modulate immunity triggered by bacterial rhamnolipids, finding that RLs up‑regulate these kinases and that mutants, especially cpk5/6, show altered reactive oxygen species production and defense gene expression. However, these kinases did not influence RL‑induced electrolyte leakage or resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, indicating additional signaling components are involved.

Using a microfluidic valve rootchip, the study simultaneously tracked ROS and calcium dynamics in compressed roots and found three kinetic phases linking mechanosensitive channel activity, NADPH oxidase‑dependent ROS accumulation, and secondary calcium influx. Pharmacological inhibition revealed that a fast calcium response is mediated by plasma‑membrane mechanosensitive channels, while a slower calcium increase is driven by ROS production.

A comparative phosphoproteomics study using Arabidopsis thaliana ahk5 loss‑of‑function mutants and wild‑type seedlings revealed that the histidine kinase AHK5 mediates a rapid shift from multistep phosphorelay signaling to serine/threonine phosphorylation in response to H2O2. AHK5 controls ROS‑responsive phosphorylation of plasma‑membrane nanodomain proteins and orchestrates distinct ABA‑independent stomatal closure and ABA‑dependent root development pathways by modulating key components such as RBOHD, CAS, HPCA1, and auxin transporters.

The study identifies two maize genes, Discordia3a and Discordia3b, that encode the microtubule‑severing protein KATANIN. Loss‑of‑function allele combinations reduce microtubule severing, impair cell elongation, delay mitotic entry, and disrupt preprophase band and nuclear positioning, leading to dwarfed, misshapen plants.

The study identified lineage-specific long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) from the aphid‑specific Ya gene family in Rhopalosiphum maidis and R. padi, demonstrating that these Ya lncRNAs are secreted into maize, remain stable, and move systemically. RNA interference of Ya genes reduced aphid fecundity, while ectopic expression of Ya lncRNAs in maize enhanced aphid colonization, indicating that Ya lncRNAs act as cross‑kingdom effectors that influence aphid virulence.

The study used a computer‑vision phenotyping pipeline (EarVision.v2) based on Faster R-CNN to map Ds‑GFP mutant kernels on maize ears and a statistical framework (EarScape) to assess spatial patterns of allele transmission from the apex to the base. They found that alleles causing pollen‑specific transmission defects often show significant spatial biases, whereas Mendelian alleles do not, indicating that reduced pollen fitness can shape the spatial distribution of progeny genotypes in Zea mays.

The study developed a high-throughput phenotyping platform to assess root infestation by Orobanche cumana in a diverse sunflower association mapping population and applied a dual GWAS using SNPs and k-mers to uncover resistance loci. It validated known QTLs with higher resolution, identified novel candidate genes such as leucine‑rich repeat receptor kinases, and highlighted introgressed segments from wild Helianthus species that contribute to broomrape resistance.

The study demonstrates that calcium-dependent protein kinases NbCDPK4 and NbCDPK5 directly phosphorylate the NADPH oxidase NbRBOHB at Ser‑123, enhancing sustained ROS production during effector-triggered immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana. Constitutively active CDPKs also upregulate NbRBOHB transcription, and phosphorylation of Ser‑123 is amplified by Ca2+ influx triggered by an autoactive helper NLR (NRC4). These results define a NbCDPK‑NbRBOHB signaling module that links NLR activation to prolonged ROS bursts in ETI.