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        <title>Frontiers in Plant Physiology | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-physiology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Plant Physiology | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-05-13T22:54:15.585+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1701827</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1701827</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of bunch heating on Pinot noir grape ripening: changes in berry anthocyanin and malic acid concentrations and their regulation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jeffrey S. Bennett</author><author>Abigail L. Albright</author><author>Adam P. Friend</author><author>Helen Boldingh</author><author>Janine Cooney</author><author>Caitlin Elborough</author><author>Rebecca A. Kirk</author><author>Han M. Nguyen</author><author>Cecilia Deng</author><author>Blue J. Plunkett</author><author>Damian Martin</author><author>Richard V. Espley</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cool-climate wine regions will face significant impacts from climate change over the coming decades. To predict the likely effects of climate change-associated high temperatures on berry ripening, a series of field-based grape bunch heating experiments were conducted on Pinot noir (Vitis vinifera L.) berries in Marlborough, New Zealand. Pinot noir bunches were heated for 7 days at the beginning of ripening (véraison) to a diurnal temperature range of 20 °C–39 °C, while unheated control bunches experienced an ambient diurnal temperature range of 11 °C–31 °C. This heating resulted in changes to several key quality criteria. The organic acid composition was altered by heat in favour of hastened reduction in malic acid concentration for a given total sugar concentration post-véraison. The sensitivity of anthocyanin accumulation in berry skins to heating varied depending on season: major inhibition in season 1 and minor inhibition in season 2. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a pivotal role in the initiation of berry ripening, including the onset of anthocyanin accumulation in berry skins. Seasonal variation in peak berry ABA concentration was associated with seasonal drought, suggesting that the higher ABA concentrations in the drier second season of experimentation may have masked the heating effect on anthocyanin accumulation. While perception of heat (expression of heat shock factor HsfA2) by the berries was found to occur as quickly as 4 hours after heating, changes in berry composition and the expression of genes and transcription factors regulating malic acid and anthocyanins took two or more days to respond in a manner that was mostly in proportion to the concentrations observed. The study illustrates that hot periods, with daily maximum temperatures up to 40 °C over periods of time (7 days), may have direct impacts on the ripening of Pinot noir grapes, reducing organic acid and anthocyanins.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2026.1650477</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2026.1650477</link>
        <title><![CDATA[MAP65 proteins influence crop traits]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Jessica R. Lucas</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The plant cytoskeleton is composed of microtubules and actin microfilaments that play instrumental roles in critical processes throughout the cell cycle, including cytokinesis and interphase cell expansion. To facilitate these processes, cytoskeletal polymers are organized into arrays decorated with numerous proteins that modulate array organization and function. Plant genomes contain multiple Microtubule Associated Protein 65 (MAP65) genes, and only a subset of MAP65’s have been functionally characterized. MAP65 proteins bind and crosslink adjacent microtubules in mitotic, cytokinetic, and interphase arrays in plant cells. The nomenclature used to name different MAP65 genes and subgroups is inconsistent between plant species, which hinders evaluation of MAP65 genes across different species. This review compares and clarifies the MAP65 naming systems to aid the transfer of information across plant species. Proteins in the MAP65–3 group may have a conserved cellular role in organizing the phragmoplast array needed for cytokinesis. Phragmoplasts are disorganized and cytokinesis is incomplete in Arabidopsis thaliana, Cucumis sativus, Oryza sativa, and Zea mays map65–3 loss-of-function mutants. However, the phenotypic severity of map65–3 alleles differs among species. For example, OsMAP65–3 is necessary for rice seedling growth and survival, while cucumber plants lacking CsMAP65–3 appear wildtype but are less susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita infection. MAP65–1 proteins are involved morphogenesis, cold tolerance, and resistance to specific pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, and Solanum lycopersicon. Future studies in model and agricultural plants that better define MAP65 subgroups and evaluate the function of MAP65 proteins in multiple processes could be useful to inform the development of new crop strains.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1702781</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1702781</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Conservation and domestication of young tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) via evaluating root and shoot traits by combining different light intensities and water levels]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Hooman Rowshanaie</author><author>Hawa ZE Jaafar</author><author>Omid Rowshanaie</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The effects of three light intensities (represented by different shade levels) and three water levels on plant growth parameters, including root mass ratio, root/shoot ratio, height ratio, plant height, stem diameter, and total biomass of young tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) plants, were investigated. The two-factor experiment was laid out in a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors were organized as follows: main plot, irradiance intensity; subplot, water treatments – used to determine the interactions among water availability, various proportions of irradiance, different durations of shading on the root system, and tongkat ali root growth performance. Results showed that plant growth parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, and total biomass, were reduced by only the light scarcity condition (25% FC) by 22%, 25%, and 20%, respectively, compared to the non-shaded condition after 412 months of treatment. Meanwhile, lower values were recorded for root mass ratio (10%–12.5%) and root/shoot ratio (24%–29%), while height ratio (8%–11%) was higher in 70% shading compared to 50% shading and the control, thus exhibiting lower ability for tongkat ali seedlings to compete for water and light.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2026.1722598</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2026.1722598</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Light signaling pathways regulating early plant development: an evo-devo approach]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Ajar Anupam Pradhan</author><author>Kavuri Venkateswara Rao</author><author>Shikha Suyal</author><author>Neha Singh</author><author>Umesh Zadoo</author><author>Sourav Datta</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Among several factors regulating early plant development, light plays a crucial role. In seed plants just after germination, the presence or absence of light determines the morphology of the developing seedling. The presence of light initiates photomorphogenesis in which plants undergo several developmental changes like inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, apical hook opening, cotyledon expansion and greening. Most of the photoreceptors and light-signaling transducers regulating these processes have been identified and well-studied, especially in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we provide insights into some recent developments in the molecular regulation of seedling de-etiolation and chloroplast biogenesis. In the past few years several reports have enhanced our understanding of light-regulated development in algae and the bryophytes. In this review we highlight the key light-regulated mechanisms governing development in the simple unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Further, we consolidate the current information about the role of light in regulating growth and development in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the moss Physcomitrium patens. We finally discuss the conservation of the light signalling machinery in all these photosynthetic organisms.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1715857</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1715857</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Transcriptomic analysis reveals differential gene expression and metabolic reprogramming in Coptis teeta Wall. under drought and heat stress]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Manabendra Nath</author><author>Dip Kumar Bhattacharjya</author><author>Preetom Regon</author><author>Dikshit Goswami</author><author>Khirod Kalita</author><author>Kunal Boro</author><author>Bikash Kumar Kundu</author><author>Bhaben Tanti</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAbiotic stresses such as drought and heat severely impair plant growth, survival, and secondary-metabolite production, posing a major threat to moisture-dependent alpine medicinal plants. Coptis teeta Wall., a critically endangered species of the Eastern Himalayas valued for its isoquinoline alkaloids, is particularly vulnerable to climatic fluctuations.MethodsIn this study, RNA-Seq based transcriptome profiling was performed to decipher the molecular responses of C. teeta under drought and heat stress.ResultsDifferential expression analysis identified 3,099 DEGs under drought, 816 under heat, and 3,790 under combined stress highlighting a strong and synergistic transcriptional reshaping under environmental extremes. Antioxidant enzymes including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were significantly upregulated, whereas thioredoxin and glutaredoxin-associated redox regulators were suppressed, indicating a shift toward peroxidase-driven ROS detoxification. Major transcription factors (TFs) from the NAC, DREB, WRKY, bZIP, and HSF families exhibited strong stress-specific induction, with DREB2A, AREB1, and HSFA2 emerging as central regulatory hubs. Secondary-metabolite biosynthesis was distinctly modulated: early benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) pathway genes were upregulated, whereas downstream enzymes such as berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) and O-methyltransferases were downregulated, reflecting a stress-induced trade-off between alkaloid diversification and survival. GO and KEGG enrichment further revealed activation of protein folding, oxidoreductase activity, glutathione metabolism, and hormone-signaling pathways. DiscussionOverall, this study provides the first genome-wide insight into transcriptional networks and metabolic reprogramming in C. teeta under abiotic stress, offering essential molecular resources for conservation, stress-tolerance enhancement, and genetic improvement.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1675932</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1675932</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A COP1-HY5-ABI5 module regulates ABA-mediated post-germination developmental arrest]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Deeksha Singh</author><author>Premachandran Yadukrishnan</author><author>Puthan Valappil Rahul</author><author>Sourav Datta</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Abscisic Acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone that regulates plant development under stress. ABA induces dormancy in seeds during maturation, whereas its levels and activity gradually decrease as germination and seedling growth progress. Under abiotic stress conditions, elevated levels of ABA inhibit seed germination and/or impose post-germination growth arrest. The transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) regulates the interplay between ABA and light signaling to modulate this process. The light-regulated transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) modulates ABA-mediated inhibition of post-germination development. However, the interrelation between HY5 and ABI5 in regulating post-germination development remains poorly understood. Here, using molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches, we show that ABI5 and HY5 proteins reciprocally influence each other’s accumulation during early plant development. We further find that ABA induces nuclear accumulation of COP1, which correlates with reduced HY5 levels and enhanced ABI5 accumulation under stress conditions. Together, our results support a model in which a double-negative feedback loop between HY5 and ABI5 contributes to ABA-mediated post-germination growth arrest.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1731014</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1731014</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Molecular markers of plant adaptation to multiple environmental stressors]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Tihana Marček</author><author>Muhammad Zahid Mumtaz</author><author>Monika Marković</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1684534</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1684534</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat germinating seed response to exogenous abscisic acid stress]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xiaolei Wang</author><author>Chuchu Chen</author><author>Xiaoxuan Sun</author><author>Chuanzhi Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionPhytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a pivotal regulatory role in crop responses to abiotic stress. However, the specificities of the coordinated transcriptional and metabolic regulatory network in wheat under ABA signaling remain to be fully elucidated.MethodsThis study systematically investigated the regulatory effects of exogenous ABA on wheat germinating seeds through integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses.ResultsPhysiological results demonstrated that low-concentration ABA (2 mg·L-1) promoted primary root elongation (12% increase vs. 0 mg·L-1 (CK)), whereas high concentrations (≥4 mg·L-1) significantly inhibited growth (40% root length reduction under 6 mg·L-1 ABA). Concurrently, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity markedly increased with ABA concentration (P < 0.05), indicating aggravated oxidative stress. Transcriptomic profiling (CK vs. 6 mg·L-1 ABA) identified 854 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 470 up-regulated/384 down-regulated). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment revealed DEGs predominantly involved in “Cellular process”, “Metabolic process”, “Catalytic activity”, and “Transporter activity”. KEGG analysis highlighted activation of “Linoleic acid metabolism”, “Alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism”, “Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis”, and “Biosynthesis of amino acids” pathways. Metabolomics detected 665 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with “Lipids”, “Organic acids”, and “Amino acids” exhibiting significant alterations. KEGG enrichment emphasized “benzoxazinoid biosynthesis” and “Nicotinate/nicotinamide metabolism”. Integrative multi-omics analysis uncovered 10 core pathways, such as “Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis”, “Biosynthesis of amino acids”, and “Cysteine and methionine metabolism”, that orchestrating ABA stress responses. Notably, L-serine and the genes TraesCS3A02G276100 and TraesCS5A02G398300 were recurrently implicated in multiple pathways, indicating their function as key network nodes.DiscussionThis study elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which wheat adapts to ABA stress through dynamic reprogramming of its metabolic and gene expression networks, thereby laying a theoretical foundation for developing future ABA-based seed treatment technologies or stress-resistant breeding strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1638556</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1638556</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Elevated growth [CO2] enhances heat stress resistance of photosynthesis in young leaves of avocado (Persea americana)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yusuph Olawale Abiola</author><author>Hassan Yusuf Sulaiman</author><author>Eve Kaurilind</author><author>Ülo Niinemets</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Climate change is associated with higher atmospheric [CO2] and more frequent temperature extremes, with the strongest impact expected in the tropics where plants often operate close to their heat stress limit. How the resistance of foliage photosynthetic traits to heat stress varies with [CO2] elevation remains largely unknown, particularly in tropical species with continuously expanding canopies, where the heat resistance of leaves can vary with age. We studied the impact of heat shock stress resembling heatflecks due to fluctuating light (48 °C for 10 min) on foliage physiological traits and chemical contents in young-mature and old-mature foliage of the tropical species Persea americana Mill. plants grown under ambient (400 μmol mol-1) and elevated (800 μmol mol-1) [CO2]. Leaf characteristics were studied through a 48 h recovery period. Light-saturated net assimilation rate (A) decreased with leaf age in both ambient and elevated [CO2]. In young-mature leaves, A in plants grown under elevated [CO2] was greater than A in plants grown under ambient [CO2]. In old-mature leaves, A was similar under both [CO2] and this was associated with increased nutrient limitation under elevated [CO2]. Upon heat stress application, A decreased in all cases due to both reduction in stomatal conductance and inhibition of biochemical photosynthetic capacity (maximum Rubisco carboxylase activity). During recovery, A increased to pre-stress level in all but in young-mature plants grown under ambient [CO2] where A remained much lower (78% reduction) than in control plants. As young leaves have a longer remaining lifespan and higher future potential contribution to plant carbon gain, preservation of photosynthetic capacity in young leaves under elevated [CO2] suggests that elevated [CO2] can enhance long-term photosynthetic production in P. americana exposed to heat episodes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1652412</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1652412</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Key eco-physiological leaf traits suggest a moderate to high level of thermal tolerance of alpine plants in the Western Himalaya]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nang Elennie Hopak</author><author>Amit Chawla</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Investigating thermal tolerance is vital in understanding how plant species would respond to future global temperature increase with greater rates in alpine areas, especially in the Himalaya, a biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we investigated the leaf thermal tolerance of 52 species from the Himalayan alpine region, to assess 1) the response of alpine species to different temperatures (28°C, 33°C, 38°C, 43°C, 48°C, 53°C, and 58°C), 2) the dependence of thermal tolerance (T50) on various eco-physiological leaf traits, and 3) variation in thermal tolerance among different growth forms. We found the thermal tolerance of various species to be in the range of 44.9°C to 65.9°C, the highest in graminoids (53.8°C ± 8.2°C), followed by forbs (49.8°C ± 2.2°C) and rosettes (48.7°C ± 2.4°C). We observed a significant positive correlation between T50 and leaf traits such as leaf mass per area and leaf dry matter content. We also determined thermal safety margins (TSMs), which ranged from 20.3°C (Malva neglecta) to 40.5°C (Calamagrostis emodensis) for most of the species, with a few species under 20°C, except for Rosularia alpestris at 9.7°C. Our results suggest that alpine species from the Western Himalaya, with elevated T50 and wide TSMs, are currently within their thermal safety range and are not as susceptible to temperature rise in the near future, compared to species from tropical and subtropical eco-regions, provided these are able to modulate their leaf temperature within theired ran specifige of tolerance.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1657264</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1657264</link>
        <title><![CDATA[MYB4 and HY5 integrate light and cytokinin signaling pathways during Arabidopsis seedling development]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Abhideep Pal</author><author>Riya Basu</author><author>Sudip Chattopadhyay</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Arabidopsis seedling growth is regulated by integration of various environmental and hormonal signals. While the interactions between light and cytokinin signaling pathways have been studied, the molecular mechanism by which their interaction regulate hypocotyl elongation remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that MYB4, a positive regulator of photomorphogenesis, physically interacts with HY5 and attenuates HY5-mediated regulation of MYB4. The expression of MYB4 is induced by different wavelengths of light and it genetically interacts with HY5 to regulate hypocotyl length during light-mediated seedling development. The MYB4 and HY5 mediated regulation of hypocotyl length is altered upon cytokinin treatment in a light intensity-dependent manner. Furthermore, on contrary to the light signals, cytokinin suppresses MYB4 expression. MYB4 together with HY5 regulates the expression of the key genes such as ABCG14, ARR4, and CHS involved in cytokinin signaling pathway. Taken together, this study highlights how the HY5-MYB4 module integrates light and cytokinin signals to fine-tune Arabidopsis seedling development.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1665196</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1665196</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Dig deeper – insights into the genetic, physiological and climatic implications of deep root architecture of rice plants]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Raghuvar Tiwary</author><author>Upashna Chettri</author><author>Chetana Hasnu</author><author>Pratikshya Borah</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a basic staple crop, sustaining nearly half of the global population and underpinning the livelihoods of millions. As climate change exacerbates the frequency of drought, salinity, and nutrient limitations, optimizing rice root system architecture (RSA)—particularly deep root systems—has become essential for ensuring productivity and resilience. Deep RSA, characterized by steeper root growth angles and extensive large lateral roots, enhances access to water and nutrients in deeper soil layers, improving drought tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, and yield stability under environmental stress. This review synthesizes advances in understanding the physiological, genetic, and hormonal regulation of deep root development in rice. Key genes, including DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1), qSOR1, and SOR1, regulate root growth angle and depth, while aquaporins and hormonal pathways (auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, abscisic acid, gibberellin) modulate root dynamics and water transport. The plasticity of RSA allows rice to adapt to diverse environments, with deeper roots conferring resilience to drought and nutrient deficiency, and shallower roots offering advantages in saline soils. Advances in marker-assisted selection, genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9), and RNA-based technologies enable precise manipulation of root traits, accelerating the development of climate-resilient rice varieties. Agronomic practices such as deep fertilizer placement further promote rooting depth and resource use efficiency. Additionally, deep RSA offers potential as a sustainable carbon sink, contributing to climate change mitigation. By leveraging these innovations, deep root systems can enhance rice crop resilience and support sustainable agriculture, ensuring global food security in a changing climate.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1658648</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1658648</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Silicon by modulating the antioxidant defense system reduces the need for water and potassium: a review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Patrícia Messias Ferreira</author><author>Renato de Mello Prado</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Potassium (K) deficiency in soils is common across various regions of the world, a problem exacerbated by the progression of drought due to climate change. A sustainable strategy to increase plant tolerance to drought involves the use of silicon (Si) and/or K; however, the biochemical mechanisms underlying this relationship require further elucidation. The objective of this review is to discuss the relevance of drought and nutritional deficiency to oxidative damage in crops, as well as the role of Si and K in the antioxidant defense system to enhance water use efficiency, including future research perspectives on this topic. This article examines the biochemical mechanisms involved in the interaction between Si, K, and the plant antioxidant system, emphasizing their potential to improve productivity with reduced water consumption and to mitigate challenges posed by climate change. The application of Si via fertigation has proven effective in increasing water use efficiency and modulating physiological processes, thereby promoting nutritional balance and antioxidant protection in different crops. The antioxidant effects of Si observed in field trials further reinforce its importance in enhancing physiological and nutritional responses to stress conditions in crops. Efficient Si fertigation may reduce the optimal Si rates compared to bulk applications in rainfed systems; however, it may also increase the risk of Si leaching, underscoring the need for additional research. The synergy between Si and K enhances water use efficiency by stabilizing metabolism and increasing plant resilience under adverse conditions. Future perspectives point to the optimization of Si and K fertigation as a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions with water scarcity and nutrient deficiencies. The use of Si may also reduce the optimal irrigation requirements for crops without compromising yield, representing a viable alternative for irrigated agriculture that warrants further investigation in different cropping systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1591146</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1591146</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Harnessing photosynthetic and morpho-physiological traits for drought-resilient soybean: integrating field phenotyping and predictive approaches]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-08-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Harmeet Singh-Bakala</author><author>Francia Ravelombola</author><author>Cheryl Adeva</author><author>Maiara Oliveira</author><author>Ru Zhang</author><author>Jessica Argenta</author><author>Grover Shannon</author><author>Feng Lin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionDrought stress is a major constraint for Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) productivity, exacerbating yield instability under current and predicted environments. Breeding drought resilient soybean varieties requires more robust selection markers for improved accuracy.MethodsTo identify the traits associated with field drought tolerance, we evaluated photosynthetic and other morpho-physiological traits in elite soybean germplasm at drought sensitive reproductive stage (R2-R3). Using chlorophyll fluorescence phenotyping and mixed model analysis, we assessed genotypic variability in various photosynthetic and morpho-physiological traits under irrigated and rainfed field conditions.ResultsTolerant genotypes (higher yield stability) exhibited significantly higher SPAD, NPQt, and FvP/FmP under drought, along with reduced leaf thickness. Multivariate analyses suggested these photosynthetic and morpho-physiological traits as key indicators of yield stability under drought. By coupling with soil parameters, these traits were able to explain 74-79% of yield variance in predictive models.DiscussionThese findings suggest that SPAD, NPQt, FvP/FmP, and leaf thickness are valuable markers for identifying drought-tolerant genotypes. Integrating these traits into selection criteria could improve the accuracy of breeding programs aimed at developing drought-resilient soybean varieties. Future efforts should validate these markers across diverse environments and leverage genomic tools to accelerate allele discovery, offering a pathway to climate-resilient soybean production.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1569221</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2025.1569221</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Beneficial plants-Trichoderma interactions on host tolerance to abiotic stresses: a meta-analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Lorena Brito Pimentel Rodrigues dos Santos</author><author>Naiane Oliveira-Santos</author><author>Diogo Pereira Silva de Novais</author><author>Valter Cruz-Magalhães</author><author>Leandro Lopes Loguercio</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Salinity, drought, and heavy metal contamination are abiotic stresses that pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity, compromising growth and development of plants. Strategies based on plants association with beneficial microorganisms, such as species of the Trichoderma genus, have been widely investigated due to their mitigating and protective potential against these adversities. This study aimed to organize and consolidate evidence on the contribution of Trichoderma spp. to plant resistance/tolerance against those three types of abiotic stresses. To achieve this, a series of meta-analysis were conducted on four groups of response variables in plants: growth and development, physiology/photosynthesis, enzymatic activities, and metabolites. Plants under abiotic stress conditions were compared with and without Trichoderma spp. inoculation. The presence of Trichoderma resulted in increased plant biomass, both in aerial and root parts, as well as in enhancement of photosynthesis-related parameters under all stress conditions. Specifically, positive effects were observed in chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF), stomatal conductance (Gs), chlorophyll a (Chl a), and relative water content (RWC) under salinity stress; in Gs and RWC under drought; and in Chl a and Chl b under heavy metals exposure. Regarding antioxidant and enzymatic activities, we observed (i) increases in catalase (CAT) and total phenols, along with a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and O2- under drought conditions; (ii) increases in ascorbate peroxidase (APx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total phenols, with a reduction in O2- and H2O2 under salinity stress; and (iii) increases in APx and SOD in the presence of heavy metals. Metabolite analysis revealed an increase in proline production under salinity stress and a reduction under drought. Taken together, the results highlight that associations with Trichoderma spp. tend to enhance plant adaptation to abiotic stresses by promoting plant growth and development, increasing chlorophyll production, controlling oxidative stress more efficiently by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and contributing to osmotic balance under salinity conditions. Overall, this study reinforces the potential of Trichoderma spp. as a tool for managing abiotic stress in agriculture, in the context of environmental and climatic changes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1507833</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1507833</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Transcriptional survey of the light-induced anthocyanin pathway in non-GM purple tomatoes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-01-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Silvia Gonzali</author><author>Jacopo Menconi</author><author>Pierdomenico Perata</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Anthocyanins are polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging power, and signaling activities in animal pathogenesis-associated pathways, thus playing an important role as nutraceuticals. Tomato fruits do not usually contain anthocyanins because their biosynthesis is switched off in these organs, but anthocyanin-enriched purple tomatoes have been produced in recent years. The varieties obtained by breeding express a functional copy of the R2R3-MYB transcription factor AN2-like, necessary to start the biosynthetic pathway, and do not produce a functional MYB-ATV repressor. The combination of these traits allows the accumulation of anthocyanins in tomatoes, strengthened under specific environmental factors such as high light intensity or low temperatures. Light starts anthocyanin synthesis and gradually extends its distribution on the fruit exocarp. The analyses carried out in the present study indicate that anthocyanin biosynthesis triggered by light is under HY5 control. However, the process is not active in mesocarp for the absence of the bHLH factor AN1, necessary to produce the MBW complex inducing the late enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway, as a consequence of insufficient expression of the R2R3-MYB gene AN2-like. This occurs since light cannot be perceived in the tissues underneath the skin because of the solar shield produced by the anthocyanins accumulated in the exocarp and for the activation of regulatory loops controlling HY5 levels. This is shown by the expression of genes involved in the production of photoreceptors and in the light signaling chain operating upstream of the anthocyanin pathway and responsible for its activation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1457037</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1457037</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Foliar water uptake and phyllosphere microbe colonization increase under higher soil nitrogen availability]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-12-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>M. A. Palmeri</author><author>N. S. Arias</author><author>G. Parra</author><author>L. Carbonell-Silletta</author><author>R. A. Silva</author><author>G. Goldstein</author><author>F. G. Scholz</author><author>S. J. Bucci</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Leaf water uptake (FWU) represents an alternative pathway to plant water acquisition that can have positive effects on water and carbon balance. Leaf surface traits including the phyllosphere microbes can affect the leaf wetness capacity and FWU. These functional and structural leaf traits could change depending on soil resources availability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of FWU and leaf surface traits such as contact angle, water drop adhesion (LWA) and phyllosphere-associated microbiota to soil nitrogen addition. Three dominant plant species, Azorella prolifera, Senecio filaginoides, and Papostippa speciosa, of an arid steppe in Patagonia exposed to nitrogen (+N) and nitrogen plus water (+NW) addition for ten years were selected. Leaf contact angle did not exhibit statistical differences among treatments within species. LWA was higher in all treatments with respect to the control (C) for shrub A. prolifera and grass P. speciosa. Nitrogen addition increased significantly FWU in A. prolifera and in P. speciosa with respect to C. Colony-forming units of culturable microorganisms (CFU) on leaf surface responded to N addition, but the changes were statistically significant in S. filaginoides and P. speciosa in +NW, increasing three and eight times, respectively, in relation to the C. A positive linear relationship was found between FWU and LWA across species and treatments. On the other hand, CFU of phyllosphere was negative and exponentially correlated with LWA and FWU, across species and treatments. The results suggest that soil N enrichment could affect functional leaf traits and phyllosphere microbiota in a way that may confer a higher potential to cope with drought by facilitating the use of alternative water sources. On the other hand, we suggested that species with leaves more colonized have less surface exposed for FWU and could have lower wettability depending on the hydrophobicity degree of microbes. However, a higher cover of epiphyte’s microorganisms could compensate the effects of lower FWU by avoiding the leaf dehydration. This study contributes to a better understanding of plant leaf-microbe interactions under higher N atmospheric deposition and intensive fertilization as global agricultural production is expected to increase.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1467480</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1467480</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Alteration of phycobilisome excitation energy transfer properties in response to attenuations in peripheral electron flow]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-11-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zhanjun Guo</author><author>Sharon L. Smolinski</author><author>Paul W. King</author><author>Carolyn E. Lubner</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (S. 6803), two types of phycobilisome (PBS) complexes, CpcG-PBS and CpcL-PBS, function to harvest light energy for photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs), photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). The compositional differences between these two forms of PBS and their specificity for RCs have led to suggestions that they may differ in function. To address this question, we examined how PBS-RC interactions, and the transfer of excitation energy from PBS to RCs, might be adjusted under conditions where electron demand and photon availability are modulated. The CpcG-PBS, CpcL-PBS, and RC complexes were isolated from a S. 6803 strain defective in expression of flavodiiron 1 (oxygen reduction reaction 1, ORR1) grown under varied light regimes. The energy transfer preference from CpcL-PBS to either PSI or PSII was investigated by in vitro crosslinking and 77 K fluorescence emission spectroscopy to assess energy transfer efficiency under photoexcitation. While the results demonstrate that the transfer of excitation energy from CpcL-PBS favors PSI over PSII in WT strains as previously shown, the preference of CpcL-PBS switches from PSI to PSII in ORR1 strains. Surprisingly, this change in preference was reproduced when ORR1 CpcL-PBS was crosslinked with WT RCs, or when WT CpcL-PBS was cross-crosslinked with ORR1 RCs, indicating there are physical modifications to both PBS and RCs that mediate the preference switch. In contrast, the analysis with ORR1 CpcG-PBS shows similar preferences to WT. Additionally, PBS populations in ORR1 shifted to a greater proportion of CpcL-PBS relative to CpcG-PBS. These results demonstrate that under conditions where electron utilization changes, there is a tuning of the excitation energy allocation from CpcL-PBS to RCs to manage the energy distribution for photosynthesis under dynamic flux conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1497753</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1497753</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Physio-biochemical responses of three sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) lines to phosphate solubilizing bacteria and phosphorous-enriched biochar in saline soils]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-11-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Siavash Jahanshahi</author><author>Payam Moaveni</author><author>Mehdi Ghaffari</author><author>Hamid Mozafari</author><author>Bahram Alizadeh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The usage of microbes and biochar (BC) is fundamental in decreasing the impacts of salinity stress by promoting plant growth and development. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and phosphorous (P)-enriched BC on the plant growth and biochemical characteristics for three lines of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in saline soils. The study was designed with salinity at 100 mM NaCl and PSB (Bacillus subtilis) with 109 CFU and BC at 1500 Kg ha-1 in the sunflower lines including RGK38 (salt-sensitive), BGK35 (salt-moderately sensitive), and BGK259 (salt-tolerant) based on completely randomized block design (CRBD) in five replicates. Salinity considerably reduced grain yield, thousand grain weight (TGW), oil content, oil yield, chlorophyll (Chl) content, relative water content (RWC), K, and P, while enhancing malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), Na+, and Cl- in all lines of sunflower with high rate in RGK38. The use of integrated PSB and BC contributed to increases in plant yield. In RGK38 exposed to salinity, PSB+BC raised grain yield (16%), oil yield (27%), RWC (14%), Chl a+b (24%), K (22%), P (127%), but lowered MDA (26%), Na+ (36%), and Cl- (41%). Heat map analysis revealed that RGK38 stood out significantly from the other two sunflower lines with the maximum variability under the treatments. MDA showed the most variability among the lines as an indicator of identifying the susceptibility to salinity, PSB, and BC. This study has encouraging implications for agricultural operations in stress-affected areas by highlighting the potential of combining PSB and BC as environmentally acceptable and sustainable ways to increase plant resilience in salty soils.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1441262</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphgy.2024.1441262</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Genotype-specific morphophysiological adaptations and proline accumulation uncover drought adaptation complexity in hemp (Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-09-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva</author><author>Ein Mahenga</author><author>Terrence Matibiri</author><author>Casper Nyaradzai Kamutando</author><author>Frank Magama</author><author>Susan Dimbi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Hemp, which has a wide range of industrial applications, has been marginalized due to its association with marijuana. This stigma has hindered research into improving its resilience to various stressors, resulting in underutilization and neglect. As cultivation expands globally, particularly in hot, dry regions of Africa, understanding drought stress mechanisms in hemp is crucial. This study investigates the drought adaptation mechanisms of three CBD flower hemp genotypes: Cannabis indica (MP) from Switzerland, Cannabis sativa (AQ) from South Africa, and Cannabis sativa (ZB) from Zimbabwe. Conducted under well-watered (WW-75% field capacity [FC]), mild drought (MD-40% FC), and severe drought (SD-0% FC) conditions, the research examines morphophysiological adaptations and proline accumulation in these genotypes, assessed 55 days after transplanting. Results revealed genotype-specific responses to watering regimes. MP demonstrated controlled water use and inherent drought tolerance, maintaining high assimilation rates (A) and superior photosynthetic performance (ΦPSII) under drought conditions. ZB maintained proline levels during drought recovery, suggesting optimized resource allocation and alternative stress-responsive mechanisms, while exhibiting effective morning water use and high non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) for photoprotection. AQ showed conservative water use strategies beneficial in water-limited environments. These findings provide a foundation for breeding programs aimed at developing robust and resilient hemp varieties suited to specific environmental conditions.]]></description>
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