Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an important crop providing vegetable oil. Yield is positively correlated with increased numbers of seeds, siliques, and branches. In a previous study, a rapeseed germplasm having normal branch and silique numbers was crossed with another germplasm having higher branch and…

Wheat is rich in gluten proteins which provide texture and structure to many foods such as breads. The abundance of low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) and high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) determines gluten strength and dough quality. Wheat cultivars commonly contain three…

Plant parasitic nematodes such as root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are thought to use chemical cues from the plant to locate their favorable hosts. These chemical cues can code for host specificity and can drive the attraction or repulsion of nematodes. Recently, Wu et al. investigated the role of benzoxazinoids…

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…