The study identifies the transcription factor MdBRC1 as a key inhibitor of bud growth during the ecodormancy phase in apple (Malus domestica), directly regulating dormancy‑associated genes and interacting with the flowering promoter MdFT2 to modulate bud break. Comparative transcriptomic analysis and gain‑of‑function experiments in poplar demonstrate that MdFT2 physically binds MdBRC1, attenuating its repressive activity and acting as a molecular switch for the transition to active growth.

The study characterizes the anatomical layers of the pistachio hull and demonstrates that layer‑specific cell wall modifications, particularly pectin-related gene expression changes, drive cell expansion, loss of adhesion, and hull splitting during late fruit development. Combined transcriptomic profiling, immunohistochemistry, and anatomical analyses reveal that filler parenchyma expands while hypodermal parenchyma remains static, and field observations link irrigation and humidity to hull split, highlighting the interplay of molecular, cellular, and environmental factors.

The study introduced full-length SOC1 genes from maize and soybean, and a partial SOC1 gene from blueberry, into tomato plants under constitutive promoters. While VcSOC1K and ZmSOC1 accelerated flowering, all three transgenes increased fruit number per plant mainly by promoting branching, and transcriptomic profiling revealed alterations in flowering, growth, and stress‑response pathways.

The study shows that during dark‑induced carbon starvation Arabidopsis cell walls release up to 20% of their galactose, mediated by beta‑galactosidases BGAL1 and BGAL4, while galactan synthesis is reduced via down‑regulation of GALS1. Overexpressing GALS1 maintains the galactose pool and restores resistance to the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum, revealing a trade‑off between sugar recycling and preformed defense.