Genetius

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 uses an optogenetic ChannelRhodopsin 2 variant (XXM2.0) to generate defined cytosolic Ca²⁺ transients in Arabidopsis root cells, revealing that these Ca²⁺ signatures suppress auxin‑induced membrane depolarization, Ca²⁺ spikes, and auxin‑responsive transcription, leading to reversible inhibition of cell division and elongation. This demonstrates that optogenetically imposed Ca²⁺ signals act as dynamic regulators of auxin sensitivity in roots.

The study examined five geographically diverse accessions of the hummingbird‑pollinated monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis, revealing extensive variation in floral morphology, nectar composition, pigment biochemistry, and scent that influence pollinator perception. Integrating metabolomics, morphology, transcriptomics, and whole‑genome sequencing, the authors identified genetic differences underlying the independent evolution of yellow flowers at range edges. These findings highlight how climate, pollinator interactions, and multi‑trait diversification drive early stages of floral divergence.

Phytoplasma infection in sesame (Sesamum indicum) triggers tissue-specific alterations in gene expression and metabolite composition, with floral organs adopting leaf-like traits and distinct changes in porphyrin, brassinosteroid, and phenylpropanoid pathways. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, supported by biochemical, histological, and qRT-PCR assays, reveal differential stress and secondary metabolite responses between infected leaves and flowers.

The study examined how simulated microgravity, using a 2-D clinostat, influences the metabolomic profile of the Starbor Kale (F1) cultivar, focusing on flavonoid content. Proton NMR revealed increased aromatic peaks, and HPTLC showed enhanced banding in medium- and high-polarity extracts, indicating elevated secondary metabolite production under microgravity conditions. These findings suggest kale is a promising candidate for space-based cultivation to mitigate astronaut health risks.

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 compared aquatic and terrestrial morphotypes of the invasive plant Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala under aquatic and terrestrial conditions, measuring morphological traits, metabolomic and phytohormonal profiles at 14 and 28 days. Results showed the terrestrial morphotype has higher baseline morphological values, while the aquatic morphotype exhibits greater phenotypic plasticity, with plasticity indices changing over time, indicating pre‑adaptation and potential local adaptation.

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.

The study investigates how auxin signaling influences aluminium tolerance using tomato mutants with altered auxin sensitivity, showing that the auxin‑hypersensitive entire mutant tolerates Al stress while the auxin‑reduced dgt mutant is more sensitive. Differences in reactive oxygen species accumulation and root transition‑zone cell differentiation correlate with distinct metabolic responses, suggesting that modifying auxin perception can enhance crop Al tolerance.