Sensing the neighbors: Phytochrome A fine-tunes plant adaptation to light
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlants constantly compete for light, and the threat of shading by neighbors has been a powerful driving force for the adaptive plasticity during evolution. Changes in both light quantity and quality, most notably a reduced ratio of red to far-red wavelengths (low R:FR), serve as early warning signals…
Shade finds a salty connection
Plant Science Research WeeklyLight acts as a crucial signal for plant growth and development and is perceived by several types of photoreceptors including phytochromes (phys). Sun-loving plants often exhibit shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), like longer hypocotyl, lesser branching, and earlier flowering to outcompete their neighbors…