Entries by Abira Sahu

Decoding the signaling precision of receptor-MAPK pathways

Have you ever wondered how cells distinguish between the diverse array of external signals traveling through similar pathways? To understand the intricacies of plant signaling mechanisms, Ma et al. used single endodermal cells of Arabidopsis roots as a model to compare two receptor pathways. One pathway uses the immune receptor FLAGELLIN SENSING2 (FLS2) to detect […]

Harnessing the potential of soil microbial allies to combat Striga infection in sorghum roots

Microbial neighbors of plants in the soil comprise of a vast array of bacteria and fungi, collectively known as the microbiome. This soil microbial community forms close associations with plants and regulates plant growth and development by inducing changes in the plant and soil metabolites. In this study, Kawa et al. explored the role of […]

How do plants export brassinosteroids?

If you’ve ever wondered how plants grow, survive, and adapt to their dynamic environment, the secret lies in their vast array of chemical messengers, also called phytohormones. Brassinosteroids  are important hormones that are crucial for plant development and defense against environmental stresses. Like every hormone, brassinosteroids also require specific proteins and other helpers for their […]

Unveiling distinct responses of maize primary and seminal roots under drought stress

Can you imagine going a day without a sip of water? Neither can plants. Water is essential for supporting diverse physiological processes in plants, including photosynthesis, nutrient transport, temperature regulation, and maintenance of cell turgidity. However, with global increase in temperature and shift in weather patterns, droughts have become increasingly frequent and prolonged that severely […]