Fine tuning wheat development for the winter to spring transition.

The coordination of floral developmental stages with the environment is important for reproductive success and the optimization of crop yields. The timing of different developmental stages contributes to final yield potential with optimal adaptation enabling development to proceed without being impacted by seasonal weather events, including frosts or end of season drought. Here we characterise the role of FLOWERING LOCUS T 3 (FT3) in hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) during the early stages of floral development.

How evolution repeatedly builds complexity: a case study with C photosynthesis in Blepharis (Acanthaceae).

With over 60 parallel origins representing evolutionary replicates, C photosynthesis is well-suited for studying complex trait evolution. However, lineages with diverse C-C intermediate species are scarce, leaving uncertainty in models of C evolution. Phenotypic characterization of 28 living species of Blepharis (Acanthaceae) is presented, including photosynthetic gas exchange, enzyme activity assays, cell ultrastructure, and δC assays, the latter including 92 herbarium specimens from three species with phenotypic diversity.

Observe natural selection by evolutionary experiments in crops.

Evolutionary experiments provide a unique lens through which to observe the impacts of natural selection on crop evolution, domestication, and adaptation through empirical evidence. Enabled by modern technologies-such as the development of large-scale, structured evolving populations, high-throughput phenotyping, and genomics-driven genetics studies-the transition from theoretical evolutionary biology to practical application is now possible for staple crops. The century-long Barley Composite Cross II (CCII) competition experiment has offered invaluable insights into understanding the genomic and phenotypic basis of natural and artificial selection driven by environmental adaptation during crop evolution and domestication.

Watkins wheat landraces decode nitrogen-driven biomass trade-offs: GWAS exposes root-shoot dialectics and elite landraces for resilient agriculture.

Introduction: Nitrogen limitation is a critical abiotic stressor that disrupts the balance between plants and their environment, imposing trade-offs in biomass allocation that threaten crop productivity and food security. While modern breeding programs often focus on improving shoot performance, the genetic mechanisms that coordinate root-shoot responses under nitrogen stress remain poorly understood. This study aimed to dissect the molecular and physiological foundations of nitrogen-driven resilience in wheat, leveraging the genetically diverse Watkins wheat landraces as a source of adaptive alleles.

Genomic and genetic insights into Mendel's pea genes.

Mendel studied in detail seven pairs of contrasting traits in pea (Pisum sativum), establishing the foundational principles of genetic inheritance. Here we investigate the genetic architecture that underlies these traits and uncover previously undescribed alleles for the four characterized Mendelian genes, including a rare revertant of Mendel's white-flowered a allele. Primarily, we focus on the three remaining uncharacterized traits and find that (1) an approximately 100-kb genomic deletion upstream of the Chlorophyll synthase (ChlG) gene disrupts chlorophyll biosynthesis through the generation of intergenic transcriptional fusion products, conferring the yellow pod phenotype of gp mutants; (2) a MYB gene with an upstream Ogre element insertion and a CLE peptide-encoding gene with an in-frame premature stop codon explain the v and p alleles, which disrupt secondary cell wall thickening and lignification, resulting in the parchmentless, edible-pod phenotype; and (3) a 5-bp exonic deletion in a CIK-like co-receptor kinase gene, in combination with a genetic modifier locus, is associated with the fasciated stem (fa) phenotype.

Structural variation-based and gene-based pangenome construction reveals untapped diversity of hexaploid wheat.

Increasing number of structural variations (SVs) have been identified as causative mutations for diverse agronomic traits. However, the systematic exploration of SVs quantity, distribution, and contribution in wheat was lacking. Here, we report high-quality gene-based and SV-based pangenomes comprising 22 hexaploid wheat assemblies showing a wide range of chromosome size, gene number, and TE component, which indicates their representativeness of wheat genetic diversity.

Septoria tritici blotch resistance gene Stb15 encodes a lectin receptor-like kinase.

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the Dothideomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is one of the most damaging diseases of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the target of costly fungicide applications. In line with the fungus's apoplastic lifestyle, STB resistance genes isolated to date encode receptor-like kinases (RLKs) including a wall-associated kinase (Stb6) and a cysteine-rich kinase (Stb16q). Here we used genome-wide association studies on a diverse panel of 300 whole-genome shotgun-sequenced wheat landraces (WatSeq consortium) to identify a 99-kb region containing six candidates for the Stb15 resistance gene.

Orally Administrated Inulin-Modified Nanozymes for CT-Guided IBD Theranostics.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with no clinical cure. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the inflammatory sites leads to the onset and progression of IBD. And the current non-invasive imaging methods are not ideal for the diagnosis and monitoring of IBD.

The Marchantia polymorpha pangenome reveals ancient mechanisms of plant adaptation to the environment.

Plant adaptation to terrestrial life started 450 million years ago and has played a major role in the evolution of life on Earth. The genetic mechanisms allowing this adaptation to a diversity of terrestrial constraints have been mostly studied by focusing on flowering plants. Here, we gathered a collection of 133 accessions of the model bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha and studied its intraspecific diversity using selection signature analyses, a genome-environment association study and a pangenome.

Correction to: The pan-NLRome analysis based on 23 genomes reveals the diversity of NLRs in .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11032-024-01522-4.].

The pan-NLRome analysis based on 23 genomes reveals the diversity of NLRs in .

, a globally significant oilseed crop, exhibits a wide distribution across diverse climatic zones. is being increasingly susceptible to distinct diseases, such as blackleg, clubroot and sclerotinia stem rot, leading to substantial reductions in yield. Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat genes (), the most pivotal family of resistance genes, can be effectively harnessed by identifying and uncovering their diversity to acquire premium disease-resistant gene resources.

Evolutionary diversification of C2 photosynthesis in the grass genus Homolepis (Arthropogoninae).

Background And Aims: To better understand C4 evolution in monocots, we characterized C3-C4 intermediate phenotypes in the grass genus Homolepis (subtribe Arthropogoninae).

Methods: Carbon isotope ratio (δ13C), leaf gas exchange, mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) tissue characteristics, organelle size and numbers in M and BS tissue, and tissue distribution of the P-subunit of glycine decarboxylase (GLDP) were determined for five Homolepis species and the C4 grass Mesosetum loliiforme from a phylogenetic sister clade. We generated a transcriptome-based phylogeny for Homolepis and Mesosetum species to interpret physiological and anatomical patterns in an evolutionary context, and to test for hybridization.

Loss of Lateral suppressor gene is associated with evolution of root nodule symbiosis in Leguminosae.

Background: Root nodule symbiosis (RNS) is a fascinating evolutionary event. Given that limited genes conferring the evolution of RNS in Leguminosae have been functionally validated, the genetic basis of the evolution of RNS remains largely unknown. Identifying the genes involved in the evolution of RNS will help to reveal the mystery.

Wheat genetic resources have avoided disease pandemics, improved food security, and reduced environmental footprints: A review of historical impacts and future opportunities.

The use of plant genetic resources (PGR)-wild relatives, landraces, and isolated breeding gene pools-has had substantial impacts on wheat breeding for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, while increasing nutritional value, end-use quality, and grain yield. In the Global South, post-Green Revolution genetic yield gains are generally achieved with minimal additional inputs. As a result, production has increased, and millions of hectares of natural ecosystems have been spared.

The genome of Eleocharis vivipara elucidates the genetics of C-C photosynthetic plasticity and karyotype evolution in the Cyperaceae.

Eleocharis vivipara, an amphibious sedge in the Cyperaceae family, has several remarkable properties, most notably its alternate use of C photosynthesis underwater and C photosynthesis on land. However, the absence of genomic data has hindered its utility for evolutionary and genetic research. Here, we present a high-quality genome for E.

Improving wheat grain composition for human health by constructing a QTL atlas for essential minerals.

Wheat is an important source of minerals for human nutrition and increasing grain mineral content can contribute to reducing mineral deficiencies. Here, we identify QTLs for mineral micronutrients in grain of wheat by determining the contents of six minerals in a total of eleven sample sets of three biparental populations from crosses between A.E.

Fusarium graminearum effector FgEC1 targets wheat TaGF14b protein to suppress TaRBOHD-mediated ROS production and promote infection.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating disease of wheat globally. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between F. graminearum and wheat remain unclear.

The wheat powdery mildew resistance gene Pm4 also confers resistance to wheat blast.

Wheat blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, threatens global cereal production since its emergence in Brazil in 1985 and recently spread to Bangladesh and Zambia. Here we demonstrate that the AVR-Rmg8 effector, common in wheat-infecting isolates, is recognized by the gene Pm4, previously shown to confer resistance to specific races of Blumeria graminis f. sp.

Harnessing landrace diversity empowers wheat breeding.

Harnessing genetic diversity in major staple crops through the development of new breeding capabilities is essential to ensure food security. Here we examined the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the A. E.

Innovations in functional genomics and molecular breeding of pea: exploring advances and opportunities.

The garden pea ( L.) is a significant cool-season legume, serving as crucial food sources, animal feed, and industrial raw materials. The advancement of functional genomics over the past two decades has provided substantial theoretical foundations and progress to pea breeding.

Development of a next generation SNP genotyping array for wheat.

High-throughput genotyping arrays have provided a cost-effective, reliable and interoperable system for genotyping hexaploid wheat and its relatives. Existing, highly cited arrays including our 35K Wheat Breeder's array and the Illumina 90K array were designed based on a limited amount of varietal sequence diversity and with imperfect knowledge of SNP positions. Recent progress in wheat sequencing has given us access to a vast pool of SNP diversity, whilst technological improvements have allowed us to fit significantly more probes onto a 384-well format Axiom array than previously possible.

PsNRT2.3 interacts with PsNAR to promote high-affinity nitrate uptake in pea (Pisum sativum L.).

Nitrate, the primary form of nitrogen absorbed by plants, supplies essential compounds for plant growth and development. Peas are frequently used as rotation crops to improve and stabilize soil fertility. However, the determinants of nitrate uptake and transport in peas remain largely unclear, primarily due to the pea genome's complexity and size.

Comparative phylogenomics and phylotranscriptomics provide insights into the genetic complexity of nitrogen-fixing root-nodule symbiosis.

Plant root-nodule symbiosis (RNS) with mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is restricted to a single clade of angiosperms, the Nitrogen-Fixing Nodulation Clade (NFNC), and is best understood in the legume family. Nodulating species share many commonalities, explained either by divergence from a common ancestor over 100 million years ago or by convergence following independent origins over that same time period. Regardless, comparative analyses of diverse nodulation syndromes can provide insights into constraints on nodulation-what must be acquired or cannot be lost for a functional symbiosis-and the latitude for variation in the symbiosis.