Yao, Wang et al. identify the mechanisms regulating inflorescence meristem determinacy in Arabidopsis. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koad249 By Wang Jinsong Yao1, Yi Peng Wang1, Jing Peng1, Pei Pei Yin1, Hengbin Gao1, Li Xu1, Thomas Laux2, Xian Sheng Zhang1, and Ying Hua Su1 1Shandong…

Geng et al. reveal a feedback system that orchestrates the expression of genes controlling crown root development in rice (Oryza sativa) and uncover a molecular rheostat of this system. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koad318 By Leping Geng and Yu Zhao National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic…

Read all about why these Plant Direct First Authors chose to pursue plant sciences and see their manuscripts here. Kyoko Takamatsu Kyoko Takamatsu is the First Author of α-Tomatine gradient across artificial roots recreates the recruitment of tomato root-associated Sphingobium published 18 December…

Su et al. identify two cell wall-loosening agents that synergistically regulate tomato fruit softening. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koad291 By Guanqing Su1, Yanna Shi1, 2, 3 1College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China 2Zhejiang…

Healthy plants require access to several mineral nutrients, which are usually taken up in ionic form. The details of nutrient uptake, distribution, and function have been painstakingly revealed over several decades. In this excellent new Tansley Review, Kunz et al. provide an overview of ion homeostasis…

Thiolation of tRNA adds a sulfur-containing nucleotide modification at the tRNA wobble position, which is necessary for efficient translation. Zheng et al. investigated the role of tRNA thiolation in plant immunity, revealing its necessity for robust defense responses in Arabidopsis. They identified…

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.…

Temperature extremes, such as cold stress, severely affect wheat (Triticum aestivum) productivity and quality by impairing its vegetative and reproductive growth. Several phytohormones have roles in cold stress, such as brassinosteroids (BRs) and salicylic acid (SA). However, how BR interacts with SA…