The study identifies the circadian clock component ELF3 as a temporal gatekeeper that limits hormone‑induced pericycle proliferation and lateral root development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Time‑resolved transcriptomics, imaging, and genetic analyses show that ELF3 maintains rhythmic expression of key regulators via LNK1 and MADS‑box genes, and that loss of ELF3 disrupts this rhythm, enhancing callus growth and accelerating root organogenesis.

The study reveals that the microtubule-associated protein MAP70-2 integrates mechanical and biochemical signals to guide division plane orientation during early lateral root primordium formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Dynamic MAP70-2 localization to cell corners and the cortical division zone precedes cytokinesis, and loss of MAP70-2 results in misoriented divisions and malformed lateral roots, highlighting its role in three‑dimensional differential growth under mechanical constraints.

The study demonstrates that Magnesium Iron-layered double hydroxide (MgFe-LDH) nanocarriers effectively protect and deliver fungal effector dsRNA to pea leaves, enabling sustained gene silencing of Erysiphe pisi and providing enhanced local and systemic powdery mildew resistance for up to 15 days. The LDH formulation exhibits strong leaf adherence, biocompatibility, RNase protection, and rapid uptake into plant cells and fungal haustoria, outperforming dsRNA or LDH alone.

The study uncovers how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi induce lateral root formation in maize by activating ethylene‑responsive transcription factors (ERFs) that regulate pericycle cell division and reshape flavonoid metabolism, lowering inhibitory flavonols. It also shows that the rhizobacterium Massilia collaborates with AM fungi, degrading flavonoids and supplying auxin, thereby creating an integrated ethylene‑flavonoid‑microbe signaling network that can be harnessed to improve nutrient uptake and crop sustainability.

The study demonstrates that the RNAi factor AGO5, expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana shoot apical meristem stem cells and germline, markedly reduces vertical transmission of Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV). Using controlled pollination with ago5 knock‑out and cell type‑specific rescue lines, the authors show that AGO5 functions in pollen and sperm cells to block virus passage, and that targeted activation of antiviral RNAi in sperm further lowers transmission rates.

The authors compiled and standardized published data on Rubisco dark inhibition for 157 flowering plant species, categorizing them into four inhibition levels and analyzing phylogenetic trends. Their meta‑analysis reveals a complex, uneven distribution of inhibition across taxa, suggesting underlying chloroplast microenvironment drivers and providing a new resource for future photosynthesis improvement efforts.

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 characterizes insertion mutants of the Arabidopsis thaliana CKL12 kinase, revealing its role in hypocotyl and primary root growth and indicating that the 3' end of its transcript is crucial for function. Evidence suggests CKL12 is transcriptionally regulated by brassinosteroid signaling, as its promoter binds BR-related transcription factors and their RNAi-mediated knock‑down reduces CKL12 expression, placing CKL12 downstream of BR signaling in seedling development.

The study identifies the brown planthopper salivary protein NlAnnexin-like5 (NlANX5) as a key virulence effector that disrupts rice annexin (OsANN) function, leading to altered calcium signaling and reduced plant resistance. RNAi silencing of NlANX5 impairs BPH feeding, while transgenic rice overexpressing OsANN2/OsANN8 or NlANX5 restores resistance, demonstrating an anti‑virulence breeding strategy for rice.

The study shows that the membrane lipids PI4P, PI(4,5)P2, and phosphatidylserine have distinct spatial and temporal dynamics during lateral root primordium formation in Arabidopsis thaliana, with PI4P acting as a stable basal lipid, PI(4,5)P2 serving as a negative regulator of initiation, and phosphatidylserine increasing after founder cell activation. Using live-cell biosensors, genetic mutants, and an inducible PI(4,5)P2 depletion system, the authors demonstrate that reducing PI(4,5)P2 enhances lateral root initiation and development.