Genetius

The study investigates how a small molecule that lengthens circadian period can quantitatively adjust the critical day length required for flowering in monocot plants. By modulating the clock's timing, the researchers provide evidence supporting the external coincidence model of photoperiodic control.

The study tested the hypothesis that legacy effects of preceding mungbean genotypes on wheat performance are genetically controlled by evaluating 309 diverse mungbean lines followed by a single wheat cultivar in the same plots, finding wheat yield varied up to 1 t ha⁻¹ with moderate heritability (H² 0.43‑0.65). Integrated phenotypic, soil, and volatile organic compound analyses suggested root architecture, nitrogen fixation, and microbiome as drivers, and haplotype mapping identified mungbean genomic regions linked to wheat yield and protein. Simulated genomic selection with balanced weighting for both crops achieved simultaneous yield gains, demonstrating breeding potential for system‑level productivity.

The study evaluated whether plant species diversity buffers temperate grassland productivity and physiological performance under simulated heatwaves by comparing species mixtures to monocultures in a greenhouse. Severe heatwaves reduced biomass and leaf photosynthetic efficiency, while recurrent heatwaves caused cumulative negative effects, yet mixtures exhibited overyielding and enhanced resistance or recovery compared to monocultures. The findings indicate that diversity improves grassland resilience to heat stress, although leaf-level parameters alone do not fully capture this resilience.

The study examined how rising air temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) affect the coupling between net photosynthetic assimilation (Anet) and stomatal conductance (gs) in saplings of three temperate and tropical species. It found that at high temperatures (>35 °C) and low VPD, gs increased while Anet declined, leading to stomatal decoupling, whereas increasing VPD preserved the Anet‑gs coupling but caused decoupling of Anet and transpiration (E). These results suggest that stomatal decoupling is required to sustain transpiration when VPD is insufficiently high.

The study investigated belowground root‑root communication between Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica saplings using a split‑root system, where donor plants were treated with jasmonic acid and labeled with 13CO2 and 15NH4NO3. Jasmonic‑acid induction triggered distinct VOC emissions and led to detectable carbon exudation and nitrogen transfer to neighboring receiver plants, with stronger responses observed in heterospecific pairings, indicating species‑specific priming of defense.

This study compares anatomical, physiological and transcriptomic leaf responses to terminal drought in drought‑resistant genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius). Tepary bean leaves displayed longer major veins, larger xylem area, increased intercellular air space and thicker cuticles, which correlated with higher photosynthetic rates, greater carbon assimilation and distinct gene expression patterns relative to common bean. The findings identify leaf‑level traits that could be targeted to improve drought resilience in common bean.

The study functionally characterizes CER1/3 proteins from green algae by expressing them in yeast, showing they can independently synthesize hydrocarbons and that conserved motif mutations impair this activity. Co‑expression of plant CER3 with algal CER1/3 in yeast leads to production of longer alkanes, supporting an evolutionary model where the plant CER1/CER3 complex arose from a bifunctional algal ancestor through gene duplication and specialization.

The paper designates lectotypes for five New Zealand orchid species originally described by Hooker and Colenso, confirming the basionym of Corybas trilobus and clarifying taxonomy of several Thelymitra species. It also reports the discovery of the holotype of Thelymitra concinna and proposes synonymising T. decora with T. nervosa.

The study demonstrates that hyperspectral imaging can non‑destructively differentiate active nitrogen‑fixing root nodules from non‑fixing nodules and root tissue based on distinct spectral signatures. By integrating deep‑learning models, the authors created an automated nodule counting pipeline that works across multiple legume species and growth conditions, eliminating labor‑intensive manual counting and reliably detecting nodules within dense root systems.

The study examined whether legume cover crops can be used to enrich rhizobial bacteria that enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation in subsequent legume cash crops. In a greenhouse experiment, cash crops were inoculated with rhizosphere and nodule microbiomes from different cover crops, revealing distinct bacterial communities and strong host selectivity, while cover crop identity significantly affected nodule formation and plant biomass, especially for alfalfa and soybean where higher rhizobial abundance increased performance. These results highlight the importance of selecting cover crops that promote effective microbial partners for sustainable legume systems.