Genetius

Phosphite (Phi) and phosphate (Pi) share the same root uptake system, but Phi acts as a biostimulant that modulates plant growth and disease resistance in a species‑ and Pi‑dependent manner. In Arabidopsis, Phi induces hypersensitive‑like cell death and enhances resistance to Plectosphaerella cucumerina, while in rice it counteracts Pi‑induced susceptibility to Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium fujikuroi, accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming.

The study examined how elevated atmospheric CO₂ (550 ppm) affects immunity in the C₄ cereal maize (Zea mays L.) by exposing plants grown under ambient and elevated CO₂ to a range of pathogens. Elevated CO₂ increased susceptibility to sugarcane mosaic virus, decreased susceptibility to several bacterial and fungal pathogens, and left susceptibility to others unchanged, with reduced bacterial disease linked to heightened basal immune responses. These findings provide a baseline for future investigations into CO₂‑responsive defense mechanisms in C₄ crops.

The study examined the roles of AtKUP2, AtKUP6, AtKUP8, and GORK potassium transport proteins in guard cell function by performing gas-exchange measurements on mature Arabidopsis leaves. Loss of KUP2/6/8 reduced stomatal conductance, whereas a GORK loss‑of‑function mutant showed increased conductance, yet the magnitude of light‑ and ABA‑induced transpiration changes remained similar across genotypes, suggesting a limited dynamic range for rapid stomatal movements that relies on small ionic osmolytes.

The study characterizes the plant spliceosomal protein AtSF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana, using iCLIP and RNA‑seq to map its in vivo branch point binding sites and demonstrate that loss of AtSF1 causes widespread 3' splice‑site mis‑selection. Structural comparison reveals a plant‑specific domain architecture, and the identified AtSF1 targets are enriched for circadian and defense genes, linking splicing regulation to timing and immunity.

The study demonstrates that subfamily I ethylene receptors form the core ethylene‑sensing module and act epistatically over subfamily II receptors, uniquely possessing Ca2+‑permeable channel activity that drives ethylene‑induced cytosolic calcium influx. This reveals a mechanistic link whereby subfamily I receptors integrate hormone perception with calcium signaling in plants.

The study shows that Arabidopsis root tips adapt to hypoxia by increasing H3K4me3 levels, linked to the inhibition of group 7 demethylases (KDM7s). Genetic loss of KDM7s mimics hypoxic conditions, activating genes that sustain meristem survival, suggesting KDM7s act as root‑specific oxygen sensors that prime epigenetic tolerance mechanisms.

The study integrates multi-omics data from six Sorghum bicolor accessions under field drought to link RNA covalent modifications (RCMs) with photosynthetic performance, identifying the enzyme SbDUS2 that produces dihydrouridine (DHU) on transcripts. Loss‑of‑function dus2 mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana reveal that DHU deficiency leads to hyperstability of photosynthesis‑related mRNAs, impairing germination, development, and stress‑induced CO2 assimilation. The authors propose DHU as a post‑transcriptional mark that promotes rapid mRNA turnover during abiotic stress, enhancing plant resilience.

A meta‑analysis of 73 studies on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) revealed that eCO₂ significantly increased net photosynthetic rate (+56.31%), biomass (+27.75%) and yield (+21.98%), while reducing stomatal conductance (‑36.07%) and transpiration (‑30.42%). The authors recommend maintaining eCO₂ levels between 800–1200 ppm together with higher light, temperature, optimal humidity, and adequate fertilization to optimise greenhouse cucumber production under climate‑change scenarios.

A genome-wide survey identified 217 EXO70 genes across five kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) species, classifying them into three subfamilies and nine clades and revealing lineage‑specific expansions, especially in EXO70C, EXO70E, and EXO70H. Functional assays demonstrated that kiwifruit EXO70B1 interacts with the immune hub protein RIN4_1, suggesting a conserved EXO70‑RIN4 module in plant immunity. The study provides a foundational resource for exploring EXO70‑mediated disease resistance in kiwifruit.

The study shows that inoculation with the non‑diazotrophic bacterium Enterobacter sp. SA187 significantly improves Arabidopsis thaliana growth under low nitrate conditions by increasing fresh weight, primary root length, and lateral root density, while enhancing nitrate accumulation and reducing shoot C:N ratios. Transcriptomic and mutant analyses reveal that these benefits depend on ethylene signaling and the activity of high‑affinity nitrate transporters NRT2.5 and NRT2.6, indicating an ethylene‑mediated, HATS‑dependent reprogramming of nitrogen uptake.