The study examined how DNA methylation influences cold stress priming in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing that primed plants exhibit distinct gene expression and methylation patterns compared to non-primed plants. DNA methylation mutants, especially met1 lacking CG methylation, showed altered cold memory and misregulation of the CBF gene cluster, indicating that methylation ensures transcriptional precision during stress recall.

The study characterizes the endophytic fungus Penicillium melinii, isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana roots, as a plant‑growth‑promoting agent that enhances root architecture and biomass across Arabidopsis, quinoa, and tomato. Integrated phenotypic, transcriptomic, and hormonal analyses reveal that the fungus stimulates auxin‑related pathways and modest stress responses, leading to increased tomato yield in field trials, underscoring its value as a model for root development and a sustainable biostimulant.

The study evaluated early root development of faba bean and white clover genotypes using greenhouse rhizobox experiments and a semi‑automated image‑based root phenotyping pipeline. It proposes a workflow linking root traits to multivariate genetic models for genomic estimation of breeding values and ties greenhouse observations to field yield performance, aiming to accelerate breeding of climate‑resilient protein crops for Northern Europe.

The study examines how ectopic accumulation of methionine in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, driven by a deregulated AtCGS transgene under a seed‑specific promoter, reshapes metabolism, gene expression, and DNA methylation. High‑methionine lines exhibit increased amino acids and sugars, activation of stress‑hormone pathways, and reduced expression of DNA methyltransferases, while low‑methionine lines show heightened non‑CG methylation without major transcriptional changes. Integrated transcriptomic and methylomic analyses reveal a feedback loop linking sulfur‑carbon metabolism, stress adaptation, and epigenetic regulation.

Using high‑throughput root phenotyping and targeted terpenoid profiling, the study examined three leaf chemotypes of Tanacetum vulgare and their responses to wireworm (Agriotes spp.) and aphid (Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria) herbivory. Wireworms induced large increases in root sesquiterpenoids in two chemotypes, while aphids boosted leaf monoterpenoid emissions only in chemotype 1, revealing chemotype‑specific, compartmentalized defense strategies linked to distinct root system architectures.

The study investigates how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the fungi Laccaria bicolor, Hebeloma cylindrosporum, and Serendipita indica affect root architecture and meristem regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana and Populus tremuloides. Results show that these fungal VOCs alter root morphology in both species and modulate the expression of the stem‑cell regulator WOX5, highlighting a role for VOC‑mediated signaling in maintaining root meristem homeostasis.

In durum wheat cultivar mixtures, susceptibility to Septoria foliar disease is increased due to a delayed induction of defense-related genes and metabolites compared with pure stands. This delay appears to be triggered by contrasting root architectures that promote early resource competition, suggesting a root-mediated signaling cascade that modulates aerial pathogen resistance.

The study examined how individual hormone treatments (auxin, ethylene, gibberellin) influence root architecture and ion accumulation under salt stress in three tomato accessions, revealing species-specific hormonal effects on lateral root development and Na/K ratios. Genetic analyses using Arabidopsis mutants and a tomato ethylene‑perception mutant (nr) identified novel hormonal signaling components that modulate salt stress responses, highlighting potential strategies to improve crop performance.

The study shows that the SnRK1 catalytic subunit KIN10 directs tissue-specific growth‑defense programs in Arabidopsis thaliana by reshaping transcriptomes. kin10 knockout mutants exhibit altered root transcription, reduced root growth, and weakened defense against Pseudomonas syringae, whereas KIN10 overexpression activates shoot defense pathways, increasing ROS and salicylic acid signaling at the cost of growth.

The study investigated how plant roots promote water infiltration through dry soil layers using dye tracing in model soil microcosms. Results indicate that dissolved root exudates, possibly by altering surface tension, are the primary drivers of infiltration, with root architecture also contributing. These insights suggest that root traits influencing exudation and structure could improve drought resistance in crops.