Integrating physiological, transcriptomic, and cellular analyses, the study shows that olive fruit abscission zones undergo lignification, alkalization, and extensive cell‑wall remodeling during natural maturation and after ethephon treatment. A set of 733 FAZ‑specific genes, including β‑1,3‑glucanases, pectate lyases, and pH‑regulating transporters, were identified, and increased glucanase activity together with reduced plasmodesmata callose suggest enhanced intercellular communication facilitates organ detachment in this non‑climacteric fruit.
Phylogenomic challenges in polyploid-rich lineages: Insights from paralog processing and reticulation methods using the complex genus Packera (Asteraceae: Senecioneae)
Authors: Moore-Pollard, E. R., Ellestad, P., Mandel, J.
The study examined how polyploidy, hybridization, and incomplete lineage sorting affect phylogenetic reconstructions in the genus Packera, evaluating several published paralog‑processing pipelines. Results showed that the choice of orthology and paralog handling methods markedly altered tree topology, time‑calibrated phylogenies, biogeographic histories, and detection of ancient reticulation, underscoring the need for careful methodological selection alongside comprehensive taxon sampling.
Multi-year study on the effects of elevated CO2 in mature oaks unravels subtle metabolic adjustments but stable biotic stress resistance
Authors: Sanchez-Lucas, R., Raw, M., Datta, A., Hawkins, K., Brettle, D., Platt, E. A., Ullah, S., Hart, K., Mayoral, C., Stegner, M., Kranner, I., Hayward, S. A., Pastor, V., MacKenzie, A. R., Luna, E.
A long‑term FACE experiment exposing 180‑year‑old Quercus robur to +150 ppm CO₂ showed seasonal declines in powdery mildew and insect herbivory but no consistent change in biotic stress incidence. Metabolomic analyses revealed widespread shifts in amino acid, Coenzyme A, and redox pathways, indicating extensive metabolic plasticity without altered resistance to pathogens or herbivores.