The authors used a bottom‑up thermodynamic modelling framework to investigate how plants decode calcium signals, starting from Ca2+ binding to EF‑hand proteins and extending to higher‑order decoding modules. They identified six universal Ca2+-decoding modules that can explain variations in calcium sensitivity among kinases and provide a theoretical basis for interpreting calcium signal amplitude and frequency in plant cells.

Mutations in the plastid division gene PARC6 and the granule initiation gene BGC1 were combined to generate wheat plants with dramatically enlarged A-type starch granules, some exceeding 50 µm, without affecting plant growth, grain size, or overall starch content. The parc6 bgc1 double mutant was evaluated in both glasshouse and field trials, and the giant granules displayed altered viscosity and pasting temperature, offering novel functional properties for food and industrial applications.

The researchers performed a large‑scale field trial with 105 wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes inoculated by Fusarium culmorum, combining quantitative deoxynivalenol (DON) profiling and untargeted metabolomics to uncover molecular signatures of infection. Sesquiterpene‑derived metabolites tracked toxin accumulation, whereas glycosylated diterpene conjugates were enriched in low‑DON samples, indicating a potential defensive metabolic pathway.

The study identifies the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor RS2Z36 as a key regulator of ovary patterning and early fruit morphology in tomato, with loss‑of‑function mutants producing smaller, ellipsoid fruits and elongated pericarp cells. RNA‑seq and proteomic analyses reveal widespread alternative splicing and altered protein abundance, including novel splice‑variant peptides, while mutant pericarps show increased deposition of LM6‑detected arabinan and AGP epitopes.

The study functionally characterizes a conserved structured RNA motif (45ABC) in Arabidopsis RBP45 pre‑mRNAs, showing that its sequence and pairing elements mediate a negative auto‑ and cross‑regulatory feedback loop through alternative splicing that produces unproductive isoforms and reduces RBP45 expression. Transcriptome‑wide splicing analysis and phenotypic assessment of rbp45 mutants reveal that RBP45B plays a dominant role and that proper regulation of this motif is essential for root growth and flowering time.

The study investigates the wheat Pm3 NLR allelic series, revealing that near-identical Pm3d and Pm3e alleles confer broad-spectrum resistance by recognizing multiple, structurally diverse powdery mildew effectors. Using chimeric NLR constructs, the authors pinpoint specificity-determining polymorphisms and demonstrate that engineered combinations of Pm3d and Pm3e further expand effector recognition, showcasing the potential for durable wheat protection through NLR engineering.

A large-scale proteomic study in Arabidopsis thaliana identified over 32,000 isoform-specific peptides, confirming that alternative splicing, particularly intron retention, produces translated protein isoforms. Integrated proteogenomic analysis, SUPPA classification, and AlphaFold modeling revealed structural impacts and a non-linear regulation of transcript and protein abundance, with mutant phenotypes linking splicing to growth, chlorophyll content, and anthocyanin accumulation.

Regenerative agriculture using a grass-clover ley increased wheat yields and macroaggregate stability despite reduced root biomass, but did not enhance soil carbon sequestration as measured by 14C retention. Drought further decreased photosynthate allocation to roots, especially in ley soils, while genotype effects on yield were minimal.

The study examined how soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability influence wheat root-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities and the expression of mycorrhizal nutrient transporters. Field sampling across two years combined with controlled pot experiments showed that P and N jointly affect AMF colonisation, community composition (with Funneliformis dominance under high P), and regulation of phosphate, ammonium, and nitrate transporters. Integrating metabarcoding and RT‑qPCR provides a framework to assess AMF contributions to crop nutrition.

The study compared aphid resistance and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) transmission among three wheat varieties (G1, RGT Wolverine, RGT Illustrious). G1 emits the repellent 2‑tridecanone, restricts aphid phloem access, and shows reduced BYDV transmission, whereas RGT Wolverine limits systemic viral infection despite high transmission efficiency. The authors suggest breeding the two resistance mechanisms together for improved protection.