The study introduced full-length SOC1 genes from maize and soybean, and a partial SOC1 gene from blueberry, into tomato plants under constitutive promoters. While VcSOC1K and ZmSOC1 accelerated flowering, all three transgenes increased fruit number per plant mainly by promoting branching, and transcriptomic profiling revealed alterations in flowering, growth, and stress‑response pathways.
Leaf shape modulates climate trait relationships in the wild species Chenopodium hircinum (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Rodriguez, J., Quipildor, V., Giamminola, E., Bramardi, S., Jarvis, D., Maughan, J., Xu, J., Farooq, H., Ortega-Baes, P., Jellen, E., Tester, M., Bertero, D., Curti, R. N.
The study examined natural variation in leaf shape and linked functional-physiological traits of Chenopodium hircinum grown in a common garden, finding that leaf morphology correlates with the climate of population origin while functional traits associate directly with leaf shape. Landmark-based morphometric analysis identified a shape axis (deeply lobed versus rounded) linked to leaf mass per area and stomatal conductance, indicating morphology mediates a resource-use continuum and highlighting the importance of phenotypic plasticity for ecological adaptation.