Search Results (1,547)

Global climate change has intensified the frequency, intensity, and spatial heterogeneity of drought events, posing severe threats to the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. Plant drought resilience, which encompasses a plant’s capacity for drought resistance, post-stress recovery, and long-term adaptation and transformation to sustain ecosystem functionality, has emerged as a central focus in botanical and ecological research. This review synthesizes the conceptual evolution of plant drought resilience, from early emphasis on resistance and recovery to the current multi-dimensional framework integrating adaptation and transformation, and synthesizes advances in understanding multi-scale drought resilience in terrestrial plants—spanning molecular, physiological, individual, community, and ecosystem levels. Key mechanisms include molecular/physiological adaptations (osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, hydraulic regulation, carbon–water reallocation via gene networks and aquaporins), morpho-anatomical traits (root architectural plasticity, leaf structural modifications, and hydraulic vulnerability segmentation), community/ecosystem drivers (biodiversity effects, microbial symbioses, and soil–plant–feedback dynamics). We critically evaluate quantitative metrics and expose critical gaps, including neglect of stress legacy effects, oversimplified spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and limited integration of concurrent stressors. Future research should prioritize multi-scale and multi-dimensional integrated analysis, long-term multi-scenario simulations with field validation, and harnessing plant–microbe interactions to enhance drought resilience, providing a theoretical basis for ecosystem sustainability and agricultural production under climate change. Full article

Cottonseeds, rich in high-quality protein and fatty acids, represent a vital plant-derived feedstuff and edible oil resource. To systematically investigate genetic variation patterns in nutritional quality and screen superior germplasm, this study analyzed 26 nutritional quality traits and 8 fiber traits across 259 upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) accessions using multivariate statistical approaches. Results revealed significant genetic diversity in cottonseed nutritional profiles, with coefficients of variation ranging from 3.42% to 26.37%. Moreover, with advancements in breeding periods, the contents of protein, amino acids, and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) increased, while oil content and C16:0 levels decreased. Correlation analyses identified significant positive associations (p < 0.05) between proteins, amino acids, UFAs, and most fiber traits, except for seed index (SI), fiber micronaire (FM), and fiber elongation (FE). Through a principal component analysis–fuzzy membership function (PCA-FMF) model, 13 elite accessions (F > 0.75) with high protein content, high UFA proportion, and excellent fiber quality were identified. These findings provide both data-driven foundations and practical germplasm resources for value-added utilization of cottonseed and coordinated breeding for dual-quality traits of nutrition and fiber. Full article

Investigating the microbial community structure and stress-tolerance mechanisms in the rhizospheres of salt-adapted plants along saline lakes is critical for understanding plant–microbe interactions in extreme environments and developing effective strategies for saline–alkaline soil remediation. This study explored the rhizosphere microbiomes of four salt-adapted species (Suaeda glauca, Artemisia carvifolia, Chloris virgata, and Limonium bicolor) from the Yuncheng Salt Lake region in China using high-throughput sequencing. Cultivable salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated and characterized to identify functional genes related to stress resistance. Results revealed that plant identity and soil physicochemical properties jointly shaped the microbial community composition, with total organic carbon being a dominant driver explaining 17.6% of the variation. Cyanobacteria dominated low-salinity environments, while Firmicutes thrived in high-salinity niches. Isolated PGPR strains exhibited tolerance up to 15% salinity and harbored genes associated with heat (htpX), osmotic stress (otsA), oxidative stress (katE), and UV radiation (uvrA). Notably, Peribacillus and Isoptericola strains demonstrated broad functional versatility and robust halotolerance. Our findings highlight that TOC (total organic carbon) plays a pivotal role in microbial assembly under extreme salinity, surpassing host genetic influences. The identified PGPR strains, with their stress-resistance traits and functional gene repertoires, hold significant promise for biotechnological applications in saline–alkaline soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Rice blast is one of the main diseases of rice, causing severe economic losses to agricultural production; thus, the search for blast resistance is a top priority for rice breeding. When challenged by the blast causal fungus Magnaporthe oryzae the expression level of OsMAPKKK69 gene in rice cultivar Nipponbar was found to increase significantly. Such an induction was also found in a different genetic material, cultivar Shufanggaonuo, indicating that OsMAPKKK69 plays an important role in blast disease response. However, the function of OsMAPKKK69 remains unclear. In this study, wild type ZH11 was selected as the background material to investigate the expression and functions of OsMAPKKK69 in rice disease resistance by constructing knockout mutants. The results showed that OsMAPKKK69 is mainly expressed in four-week-old shoots and localized in cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. The two allelic knockout mutants, osmapkkk69-1 and osmapkkk69-2, were more resistant to M. oryzae and bacterial blight Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo). Further agronomic trait analysis revealed that the osmapkkk69-1 and osmapkkk69-2 mutants had reduced plant height, smaller grain size, a significant increase in tillering number, but also a significant increase in yield per plant. Our results show that OsMAPKKK69 is involved in the immune response of rice by negatively regulating the resistance to rice blast and blight diseases, and in regulating important agronomic traits. This study lays a foundation for revealing the molecular mechanism of OsMAPKKK69 in the immune response to rice diseases and provides novel genetic resources for rice breeding. Full article

Biomimetic design, derived from the study of biological systems, has emerged as a pivotal methodology in contemporary art and design. By systematically integrating the morphological traits, structural principles, and functional mechanisms of living organisms into design thinking, it provides both a novel theoretical perspective and methodological support for modern design practice. This design philosophy draws abundant inspiration from nature’s aesthetics and achieves a profound fusion of organic form and artistic expression. This study systematically traces the theoretical evolution of biomimetic design—from its early phase of direct form-mimicry to today’s holistic, systems-based approach—and clarifies its interdisciplinary logic and developmental trajectory. We examine its applications in public installations, product development, architecture, and fashion. Through a structured analysis of plant-inspired, animal-inspired, and ecosystem-inspired strategies—linked with the aesthetic demands and cultural contexts of design—this study uncovers the underlying mechanisms by which biological models drive innovation. The findings demonstrate that, by organically combining form simulation, function optimization, and ecological awareness, biomimetic design not only elevates the aesthetic value, visual impact, and emotional resonance of design works but also amplifies their social role and cultural significance. Moreover, its interdisciplinary potential in materials innovation, technological integration, and environmental sustainability highlights unique pathways for addressing complex contemporary challenges. This study adopts a methodology that blends case-study analysis and theoretical interpretation. Through an in-depth examination of exemplar projects, it validates that biomimetic design not only achieves a seamless unity of function and form but also offers a robust theoretical framework and practical strategies for sustainable design implementation. These insights advance both the theoretical depth and practical innovation of the design discipline. Full article

Domestication has been proven to significantly impact the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. Cultivated green jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.), as an important autotetraploid fruit crop widely planted in tropical regions, exhibits differential physicochemical traits compared with its wild progenitor. To assess the traits lost in cultivated green jujube during domestication, the study performed comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic investigations of flavonoid pathways in wild and cultivated green jujube. Based on the four haplotype genomes of wild and cultivated green jujube, for the first time, the study bulk-identified 16 key gene families associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. Collinearity analysis revealed that tandem duplication was the predominant event in flavonoid-related genes rather than WGD. Through the expression profiles in different tissues, the distinct member of these gene families was classified as “redundant” or “functional”. Transcriptomic analyses illustrated the significant differential expressions (p < 0.05) of 13 flavonoid-related gene families in fruits of six cultivated and three wild green jujube accessions, except for FLS, LAR and PPO. The wild green jujube fruits accumulated more abundance of flavonoid metabolites than in cultivated fruits (p < 0.0001), as evidenced by upregulated chalcones, dihydroflavonol, isoflavones and flavonoid carbonoside. Gene–metabolite co-expression modules further validated the potential transcription regulators, such as BBX21, WRI1 and bZIP44. Together, the study suggested a genomic, transcriptomic and metabolic perspective for domestication regarding fruit flavonoid pathways in green jujube, which provides a valuable genetic resource for fruit quality improvement in cultivated green jujube. Full article

The TIFY gene family participates in crucial processes including plant development, stress adaptation, and hormonal signaling cascades. While the TIFY gene family has been extensively characterized in model plant systems and agricultural crops, its functional role in Eucalyptus grandis, a commercially valuable tree species of significant ecological and economic importance, remains largely unexplored. In the present investigation, systematic identification and characterization of the TIFY gene family were performed in E. grandis using a combination of genome-wide bioinformatics approaches and RNA-seq-based expression profiling. Nineteen EgTIFY genes were identified in total and further grouped into four distinct subfamilies, TIFY, JAZ (subdivided into JAZ I and JAZ II), PPD, and ZML, based on phylogenetic relationships. These genes exhibited considerable variation in gene structure, chromosomal localization, and evolutionary divergence. Promoter analysis identified a multitude of cis-acting motifs involved in mediating hormone responsiveness and regulating abiotic stress responses. Transcriptomic profiling indicated that EgJAZ9 was strongly upregulated under methyl jasmonate (JA) treatment, suggesting its involvement in JA signaling pathways. Taken together, these results offer valuable perspectives on the evolutionary traits and putative functional roles of EgTIFY genes. Full article

Picea neoveitchii Mast., a critically endangered spruce species endemic to China, is classified as a national second-level key protected wild plant and listed as critically endangered (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its habitat features complex forest light environments, and global climate change coupled with environmental pollution has increased regional nitrogen deposition, posing significant challenges to its survival. This study explores the effects of light–nitrogen interactions on the leaf functional traits of Picea neoveitchii Mast. seedlings by simulating combinations of light intensities (100%, 70%, and 40% full sunlight) and nitrogen application levels (0, 10, and 20 g N·m ⁻²·a⁻¹, where g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹ denotes grams of nitrogen applied per square meter per year). We examined changes in morphological traits, anatomical structures, photosynthetic physiology, and stress resistance traits. Results indicate that moderate shading (70% full sunlight) significantly enhances leaf morphological traits (e.g., leaf length, leaf area, and specific leaf area) and anatomical features (e.g., mesophyll tissue area and resin duct cavity area), improving light capture and stress resistance. Medium- to high-nitrogen treatments (10 or 20 g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹) under moderate shading further increase photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, and antioxidant enzyme activity. According to the comprehensive membership function evaluation, the L2N0 (70% full sunlight, 0 g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹) treatment exhibits the most balanced performance across both growth and stress-related traits. These findings underscore the critical role of light–nitrogen interactions in the growth and adaptability of Picea neoveitchii Mast. leaves, offering a scientific foundation for the conservation and ecological restoration of endangered plant populations. Full article

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are commonly found in saline environments, such as the Flooding Pampas (Argentina), where the forage grass Chloris gayana has been introduced. This study evaluated the effect of salinity on the DSE fungus Exserohilum rostratum, isolated from C. gayana, and its contribution to the grass’s salinity tolerance. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted under three salinity levels (0, 40, and 80 meq Na·L⁻¹), with and without fungal inoculation. Fungal growth, root colonization, functional traits, plant biomass, chemical composition, and salinity tolerance indices were assessed. The fungus tolerated salinity and colonized roots, showing qualitative evidence of enzyme production and phosphate solubilization. In both experiments, shoot and root biomass decreased with increasing salinity. Inoculation significantly enhanced shoot biomass only under non-saline conditions in the first experiment, whereas in the second experiment no inoculation effect was observed on shoots. For roots, no effect of inoculation occurred in the first experiment, but a positive interaction between salinity and inoculation was recorded in the second experiment, where moderate salinity increased root biomass in inoculated plants. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios decreased under salinity regardless of inoculation, indicating limited influence on ionic balance. These results suggest that although E. rostratum tolerates salinity and expresses functional traits, its ability to enhance plant performance under stress is context-dependent and restricted to specific conditions. Full article

A wide range of microorganisms, including endophytes, frequently interact with forest trees. The role of endophytes in industrial conifers has not been fully investigated. The Yezo spruce Picea jezoensis is widely used for logging in Russia and Japan. In this work, the endophytic communities of bacteria and fungi in healthy needles, branches, and fresh wood of P. jezoensis from Primorsky Territory were analyzed using metagenomic analysis. The results indicate that the diversity of endophytic communities in P. jezoensis is predominantly influenced by the specific tree parts (for both bacteria and fungi) and by different tree specimens (for fungi). The most abundant bacterial classes were Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Functional analysis of KEGG orthologs (KOs) in endophytic bacterial community using PICRUSt2 and the PLaBAse PGPT ontology revealed that 59.5% of the 8653 KOs were associated with plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs), mainly, colonization, stress protection, bio-fertilization, bio-remediation, vitamin production, and competition. Metagenomic analysis identified a high abundance of the genera Pseudomonas and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in P. jezoensis, which are known for their potential growth-promoting activity in other coniferous species. The dominant fungal classes in P. jezoensis were Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Eurotiomycetes. Notably, the genus Penicillium showed a pronounced increase in relative abundance within the fresh wood and needles of Yezo spruce, while Aspergillus displayed elevated abundance specifically in the fresh wood. It is known that some of these fungi exhibit antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, our study describes endophytic communities of the Yezo spruce and provides a basis for the production of biologicals with potential applications in forestry and agriculture. Full article

Understanding how main plant functional strategies scale from species to communities is critical for guiding restoration in tropical disturbed areas by unsustainable livestock grazing; yet, the patterns and drivers of functional trait space along successional trajectories remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated functional trait space using principal component analyses (PCAs) based on eight traits related to leaf, stem, and seed morphology across 226 tree species and 33 forest communities along a chronosequence of natural regeneration following cattle ranching abandonment in deforested landscapes of the Colombian Amazon. We identified three species-level functional axes—namely, the ‘Structural–Reproductive Allocation Axis’, the ‘Mechanical Support and Tissue Investment Axis’, and the ‘Leaf Economics Axis’—and two community-level axes: the ‘Colonization–Longevity Axis’ and the ‘Persistence–Acquisition Axis’. These axes aligned with the life-history strategies of short-lived pioneers, long-lived pioneers, and old-growth species, and reflected their relationships with key environmental drivers. Community-level functional composition reflected species-level patterns, but was also shaped by soil properties, microclimate, and tree species richness. Forest age and precipitation promoted conservative strategies, while declining soil fertility suggested a decoupling between above- and belowground recovery. Functional richness and divergence were highest in mid-successional forests dominated by long-lived pioneers. Our findings highlight the role of environmental and successional filters in shaping functional trait space and emphasize the value of functionally diverse communities. Particularly, our results indicate that long-lived pioneers (LLP) such as Astrocaryum chambira Burret and Pouteria campanulata Baehni, with traits like large height, intermediate wood density, and larger seed size, represent ideal candidates for early enrichment strategies due to their facilitation roles in succession supporting restoration efforts in regenerating Amazonian forests. Full article

Squamosa Promoter-Binding Protein Like (SPL) is a critical transcription factor that plays a significant role in regulating plant growth and development. Mining the coconut SPL family offers valuable insights into the regulation of important agronomic traits, including the length of the juvenile phase. In this study, 25 CnSPLs were identified and were classified into eight subfamilies. Analysis of gene structure and conserved protein motifs indicated a high conservation of CnSPLs within the same subfamilies; however, variations in protein structure and gene length were observed across different subfamilies. Gene expansion analysis indicated that most gene members within subfamilies originated from duplications of the same genomic segment, and transposable element insertion contributed to the divergence of gene sequences within these subfamilies. Characterization of the miR156 target sequence in SPL transcripts revealed that subfamilies IV to VIII contained these sequences, while subfamilies I to III did not. In both coconut and 14 other plant species, some SPLs lost their miR156-binding loci due to gene structure variations. The gene expression profiles revealed significant divergence between miR156-targeted and non-targeted CnSPLs; the former exhibited low expression levels in the endosperm, while the latter showed comparable expression across all tissues. Notably, CnSPL15A demonstrated steadily increasing expression levels in leaves throughout successive leaf primordia and significantly promoted flowering when overexpressed in Arabidopsis. Transient expression assays and 5′ RACE confirmed that CnSPLs are targeted by miR156. This study establishes a foundation for investigating the evolutionary characteristics of CnSPLs and provides a theoretical framework for analyzing the functions of key CnSPLs involved in the coconut flowering control pathway. Full article

Desert ecosystems pose extreme challenges to plant survival. This study explores the adaptive strategies of two xerophytic halophytes, Alhagi sparsifolia and Nitraria roborowskii, in Xinjiang’s Ebinur Lake wetland, focusing on their plant–soil–microbe (PSM) coupling systems across desert gradients. Results revealed significant interspecific and gradient-dependent differences in plant functional traits: A. sparsifolia showed high growth plasticity with a fast-growth strategy, while N. roborowskii adopted a conservative strategy. Rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure exhibited strong spatial heterogeneity and host specificity, with N. roborowskii having a more complex microbial network and A. sparsifolia showing higher modularity. Multivariate factor analysis elucidated couplings among plant traits, soil properties, enzymes, and microbes. The two species form distinct interaction systems adapted to desert saline–alkali stress, advancing the understanding of ecological adaptation and informing restoration. Full article

Climate change has intensified extreme weather events and accelerated soil salinization, posing serious threats to crop yield and quality. Salinity stress, now affecting about 20% of irrigated lands, is expected to worsen due to rising temperatures and sea levels. At the same time, the global population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, demanding a 70% increase in food production (UN, 2019; FAO). Agriculture, responsible for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urgently needs sustainable solutions. Microbial inoculants, known as “plant probiotics,” offer a promising eco-friendly alternative by enhancing crop resilience and reducing environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and melatonin-producing capacity of Bacillus aerius EH2-5. To assess its efficacy under salt stress, soybean seedlings at the VC stage were inoculated with EH2-5 and subsequently subjected to salinity stress using 150 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments. Plant growth parameters, the expression levels of salinity-related genes, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured to determine the microbe’s role in promoting plant growth and mitigating salt-induced oxidative stress. Here, our study shows that the melatonin-synthesizing Bacillus aerius EH2-5 (7.48 ng/mL at 24 h after inoculation in Trp spiked LB media) significantly improved host plant (Glycine max L.) growth, biomass, and photosynthesis and reduced oxidative stress during salinity stress conditions than the non-inculcated control. Whole genome sequencing of Bacillus aerius EH2-5 identified key plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-related genes, including znuA, znuB, znuC, and zur (zinc uptake); ptsN, aspA, and nrgB (nitrogen metabolism); and phoH and pstS (phosphate transport). Genes involved in tryptophan biosynthesis and transport, such as trpA, trpB, trpP, and tspO, along with siderophore-related genes yusV, yfhA, and yfiY, were also detected. The presence of multiple stress-responsive genes, including dnaK, dps, treA, cspB, srkA, and copZ, suggests EH2-5′s genomic potential to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and other abiotic stresses. Inoculation with Bacillus aerius EH2-5 significantly enhanced soybean growth and reduced salt-induced damage, as evidenced by increased shoot biomass (29%, 41%), leaf numbers (12% and 13%), and chlorophyll content (40%, 21%) under 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. These results indicate EH2-5′s strong potential as a plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-alleviating rhizobacterium. The EH2-5 symbiosis significantly enhanced a key ABA biosynthesis enzyme-related gene NCED3, dehydration responsive transcription factors DREB2A and NAC29 salinity stresses (100 mM and 150 mM). Moreover, the reduced expression of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by 16%, 29%, and 24%, respectively, and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy peroxidase (H₂O₂) by 12% and 23% were observed under 100 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. This study demonstrated that Bacillus aerius EH2-5, a melatonin-producing strain, not only functions effectively as a biofertilizer but also alleviates plant stress in a manner comparable to the application of exogenous melatonin. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing melatonin-producing microbes as a viable alternative to chemical treatments. Therefore, further research should focus on enhancing the melatonin biosynthetic capacity of EH2-5, improving its colonization efficiency in plants, and developing synergistic microbial consortia (SynComs) with melatonin-producing capabilities. Such efforts will contribute to the development and field application of EH2-5 as a promising plant biostimulant for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Transposable elements (TEs) serve as important drivers mediating polyploidization events and phenotypic diversification in plant genomes. However, the dynamic changes in various TE subclasses post-polyploidization and their mechanisms of influencing phenotypic variation require further investigation. The allopolyploid Gossypium species, originating from two diploid progenitors, provide an ideal model for studying TE dynamics following polyploidization. This study investigated TE dynamics post-polyploidization based on 21 diploid and 7 polyploid cotton genomes. The Tekay subclass of the Gypsy serves as a major driver of Gossypium genome evolution, as it underwent two burst events in the At-subgenome and its progenitor, exhibiting the highest abundance, longest length, and largest proportion among all TE subclasses. In contrast, the Gopia superfamily Tork subclass has lower abundance but greater genic association, facilitating environmental adaptation and phenotypic variation. Additionally, a pan-TE-related structural variation, the pan-TRV map, was constructed by integrating resequencing data from 256 accessions. Genome-wide analysis of 28 cotton genomes identified 142,802 TRVs, among which 72,116 showed polymorphisms in the 256 G. hirsutum accessions. The Gypsy superfamily, particularly the Tekay subclass, has been identified as a major source of TRVs, while Copia-type elements demonstrate significantly greater enrichment in gene-proximal genomic regions. A total of 334 TRVs exhibiting statistically significant associations with 10 key phenotypic traits, including 164 TRVs affecting yield components and 170 TRVs determining fiber quality. This investigation delineates the evolutionary significance of transposable elements in Gossypium genome diversification while simultaneously providing novel functional markers and potential editing targets for genetic dissection and molecular breeding of key agronomic traits in cotton. Full article