I’d never thought about the fact that there are two distinct types of epidermal-derived secretory structures, both mainly involved in stress responses and defense. Glandular trichomes (GTs) are well known structures that protrude outwards, but they are joined by subcutaneous secretory cavities (SCs)…

Naturally occurring biostimulants have emerged as promising tools for promoting sustainable agriculture and horticulture by enhancing plant performance while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Among these, peptide-based biostimulants stand out for their high specificity, biodegradability, and overall…

Guard cells might be some of the most well-characterized plant cells due to their accessibility, their importance in land plant survival, and their easily measured responses. Guard cells respond to several signals including light, CO2, vapor pressure deficit, ROS, and abscisic acid (ABA), which acts…

Gravity is perceived by amyloplast sedimentation in gravity-sensing cells, a process relying on the relocalization of LAZY proteins from the amyloplast to the plasma membrane. Increasing evidence has emerged on this new aspect of gravity sensing, and in this recent publication, Yoshihara and Spalding…

Plants may appear silent, yet they can rapidly perceive and respond to environmental challenges. Despite lacking sensory nerve cells like animals, plants rely on mechanoperception to detect stimuli such as touch, wind, and herbivore attack. This framework has led researchers to uncover how mechanical…

Flowering plants are the most widespread group of plants, occupying almost every environment on our planet. They play important roles in maintaining the earth’s biodiversity and have a remarkably high rate of diversification. What’s always puzzled scientists is how they became so incredibly diverse.…

Can the stress experienced by parents enhance the resilience of their offspring? In this study, Atighi et al. investigated whether rice plants can inherit resistance against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola from their infected parents. Their research demonstrates that offspring of nematode-infected…

The colonization of land by plants was a crucial event in Earth’s history that fundamentally transformed our planet’s surface. Early plants were small and structurally simple, but terrestrial ecosystems also included other, non-plant organisms. Among the most striking were enigmatic organisms known…