Water availability positions auxin response maxima to determine plant regeneration fates

Abdul Kareem
, 04/07/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 04 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02029-2

This study reveals that water availability at the wound determines plant regeneration outcomes. High water availability induces root regeneration whereas low water availability triggers callus formation via stress hormones that shape auxin response maxima to activate distinct regeneration pathways.

High-temperature-induced FKF1 accumulation promotes flowering through the dispersion of GI and degradation of SVP

Hong Gil Lee
, 04/07/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 04 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02019-4

GI forms an inactive nuclear condensate that is dispersed at high temperatures by FKF1 binding to GI’s intrinsically disordered region. The resulting FKF1–GI complex promotes SVP degradation, accelerating flowering at high ambient temperatures.

Poltergeist-Like 2 (PLL2)-dependent activation of herbivore defence distinguishes systemin from other immune signalling pathways

Rong Li
, 04/07/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 04 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02040-7

The phosphatase PLL2 was identified as a specific component in systemin-induced immune signalling. PLL2 regulates proton pump activity at the plasma membrane and is required for downstream defence gene induction and insect resistance.

Global evidence for a positive relationship between tree species richness and ecosystem photosynthesis

Ruochen Cao
, 03/07/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 03 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02046-1

Forests with higher tree species richness show greater photosynthesis by capturing more sunlight, highlighting the essential role of biodiversity in enhancing carbon uptake and supporting the global carbon sink.

A conserved <i>Phytophthora</i> apoplastic trypsin-like serine protease targets the receptor-like kinase BAK1 to dampen plant immunity

Sicong Zhang
, 01/07/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 01 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02039-0

Phytophthora secretes a conserved trypsin-like serine protease, PsTry1, that suppresses apoplastic immunity by cleaving the extracellular domain of the co-receptor BAK1, revealing a novel mechanism by which pathogens overcome apoplastic immune defences.

Mechanism of RNA primer removal in plastid DNA replication

Anonymous, 30/06/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 30 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02038-1

The factors involved in the removal of RNA primers during plastid DNA (ptDNA) replication have been unclear. We now identify a plastid-localized 5′–3′ exonuclease (PEN1) that mediates the removal of RNA primers in ptDNA replication and provide structural insight into its mechanism of action in this process.

Roles of multiple TEF30-associated intermediate complexes in the repair and reassembly of photosystem II in <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Yidi Wang
, 27/06/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 27 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02036-3

Cryo-EM structures of four TEF30-associated photosystem II repair complexes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reveal versatile roles of TEF30 in the reassembly of the photosystem II core monomer, dimer and supercomplex through multiple intermediate states.

A receptor–kinase cascade confers cold-induced root growth inhibition in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Xiuyue Zhang
, 27/06/2025 | Source: Nature Plants - nature.com science feeds

Nature Plants, Published online: 27 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41477-025-02034-5

A receptor–kinase module involving KOIN and CRPK1 integrates membrane trafficking and kinase signalling to mediate cold-induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis via the 14-3-3–CBF3–SHR pathway.

Skull study shows Chicago's rodents are rapidly evolving

Anonymous, 26/06/2025 | Source: Agriculture and Food News -- ScienceDaily

Urban wildlife is evolving right under our noses — and scientists have the skulls to prove it. By examining over a century’s worth of chipmunk and vole specimens from Chicago, researchers discovered subtle yet significant evolutionary changes in these rodents’ skulls, seemingly in response to city life.

Scientists reprogram ant behavior using brain molecules

Anonymous, 25/06/2025 | Source: Agriculture and Food News -- ScienceDaily

Leafcutter ants live in highly organized colonies where every ant has a job, and now researchers can flip those jobs like a switch. By manipulating just two neuropeptides, scientists can turn defenders into nurses or gardeners into leaf harvesters. These same molecular signals echo in naked mole-rats, revealing a deep evolutionary link in how complex societies function, even across species. The study also teases out a possible connection to insulin and longevity, hinting at new frontiers in understanding human behavior and lifespan.