CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of the vacuolar invertase gene (StVInv) in potato enhanced drought resilience, with mutants maintaining higher stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthetic efficiency, leading to improved agronomic water-use efficiency and biomass under water limitation. Metabolomic profiling showed accumulation of galactinol and raffinose, while ABA levels were reduced, indicating altered osmoprotective and hormonal responses that support sustained growth during drought.

The study shows that the ERF transcription factor PTI5, previously identified as a susceptibility factor, is strongly induced during Bacillus subtilis biofilm establishment on potato roots and modulates ethylene‑dependent immune signaling. Silencing PTI5 enhances bacterial abundance and increases colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, indicating PTI5 restricts both pathogenic and beneficial microbial interactions. These findings provide mechanistic insight for managing beneficial plant‑microbe relationships in crops.