Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsP) are plant signaling molecules that regulate phosphate homeostasis and related metabolic processes. But a global phosphate crisis, due to resource depletion and environmental pollution from excess phosphate, has raised the need for phosphate management. Freed et al. investigated strategies for enhancing phosphate management by manipulating PP-InsP signal pathways using both synthetic and […]
Cyanobacteria, although short-lived, are sensitive to photoperiodic time measurement just as in eukaryotes. Jabbur et al. discuss the discovery of photoperiodism in prokaryotic cyanobacteria, Synechococcus elongatus and their ability to anticipate seasonal changes through light and dark cycles similar to eukaryotes. This ability is linked to their circadian clock, which helps them to respond to […]
People often fail to recognize and appreciate the importance of plants, a phenomenon known as Plant Awareness Disparity (PAD), also known as plant blindness. This lack of awareness has a negative impact on botanical knowledge and skill acquisitions, consequently affecting biodiversity conservation efforts. McGinn et al. investigated the relationship between art and plant awareness through […]
Metabolic activities in symbionts are often described as physiologically synchronized, but sometimes, as in the case of coral bleaching, this synchrony can break down. This breakdown was observed in lichen by Meyer et al. when they examined the physiologies of Evernia mesomorpha fungal and algal components during rehydration using either liquid water or water vapor. […]
Phytochemicals, also known as plant secondary metabolites, play primary roles in plant development, structure, and response to the environment. Their metabolism has been studied for over a century. In a new review, Dixon and Dickinson discuss past and recent advances in understanding the identity, localization, biosynthesis, and functions of phytochemicals over the past century. One […]
Trapa natans, also known as water caltrop or bat nut, is an aquatic plant with large seeds encased by a hardened endocarp. Due to this durable endocarp, these seeds may remain dormant underwater for up to 12 years. Huss et al. studied the anatomical and biochemical factors responsible for the hardened endocarp, focusing on the […]
Light and temperature are important external signals required by plants for flower initiation. These external signals along with some internal cues (plant age, gibberellins, etc.) are established factors for floral initiation, but the factors required for end-of-flowering time are not yet established. González-Suárez et al. discovered that an increase in day length and higher temperature […]
Climate change is having negative effects on yield of economically important crops such as rice. Therefore, there is a pressing need for climate-change adapted crops. Previous research has highlighted that a decrease in stomatal density can enhance drought tolerance. EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-LIKE9 (EPFL9), also known as STOMAGEN, expressed in the mesophyll is a positive regulator […]
As with people, plants blush in difficult circumstances. Situations such as nutrient stress make plants uncomfortable, resulting in the accumulation of anthocyanins in different plant tissues and color changes in the tissues. Jezek et al. reviewed how and why anthocyanins accumulate in foliar tissues in nutrient-deficient plants. Anthocyanins accumulate in anthocyanoplasts or anthocyanic vacuoles in […]