The study reanalyzed 1,107 public grapevine RNA‑seq datasets to build condition‑specific gene expression atlases and a whole‑genome co‑expression network associated with drought stress, and deployed these resources via a web‑based Hydric Stress Atlas App. Network topology analysis identified candidate hub genes that could serve as molecular markers or targets for gene editing to improve drought tolerance in Vitis vinifera.

The study generated wheat (Triticum aestivum) mutants with targeted deletions in the SAL gene family (TaSAL1 and TaSAL2) to assess the impact of chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signaling on field performance. Across 15 diverse Australian field trials, TaSAL2 deletions conferred 4–8% higher yields and improved water productivity by maintaining photosynthetic efficiency and dynamic stomatal control under drought, whereas TaSAL1 deletions reduced yields. These results demonstrate that locus‑specific retrograde signaling modifications can simultaneously enhance yield and stress resilience in a major crop.

The study evaluated high‑throughput spectroscopy and poro‑fluorometry to predict leaf morphological and ecophysiological traits in a grapevine diversity panel under well‑watered and drought conditions. Spectroscopy reliably estimated leaf mass per area and water content, while poro‑fluorometry accurately predicted net CO2 assimilation, and the derived predicted traits showed substantial broad‑sense heritability. These results demonstrate that non‑destructive, rapid phenotyping tools can support genetic analyses of drought‑related traits in grapevine.

The study examined transcriptomic responses of the tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea from a pristine and an impacted site under single and combined thermal and excess nutrient stress in mesocosms. Combined stress caused greater gene reprogramming than individual stresses, with thermal effects dominating and the impacted population showing reduced plasticity but higher resilience. Core stress‑response genes were identified as potential early field indicators of environmental stress.