Tandem duplication of Rca genes in grasses, combined with transposable element insertions harboring heat shock elements, has driven species-specific adaptations to heat stress, enabling improved thermal tolerance and photosynthetic performance.
Guard Cell-Targeted TOR Expression Enhances Drought Tolerance and Water Use Efficiency in Arabidopsis
Guard cell-specific expression of AtTOR enhances drought tolerance and water use efficiency in Arabidopsis by reducing transpirational water loss while maintaining or improving photosynthetic performance through modulation of stomatal function and ABA-related signaling pathways.
Uncovering Novel Regulators of Flowering Time in Temperate-Adapted Sorghum Through Integrated Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses
Researchers identified novel genetic regulators of flowering time in temperate-adapted, photoperiod-insensitive sorghum using expanded genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association analyses, revealing key roles for FT, MADS-box, and ageing pathway genes beyond the classical maturity loci.
Genotypic Regulation of Drought-Induced Cyanogenesis in Sorghum: Insights into Dhurrin Biosynthesis and Stress Adaptation Mechanisms
Katamreddy et al., revealed that drought-induced hydrogen cyanide (HCN) accumulation in sorghum is regulated by genotype-specific differences in dhurrin biosynthesis, membrane stability, and transcription factor networks, offering targets for developing safer, drought-tolerant forage varieties.
Comprehensive Analysis of TALE Transcription Factors in Sorghum bicolor: Evolution, Expression, and Functional Roles
Research shows that the TALE transcription factors in Sorghum bicolor regulate growth, development, and stress responses, showing evolutionary conservation, tissue-specific expression, and hormone-induced activity.
Evolutionary Rewiring of Gene Networks in the Transition to C4 Photosynthesis
The evolution of C4 photosynthesis involved the co-option of ancestral transcriptional networks and cis-regulatory elements, enhancing efficiency in carbon fixation and offering insights for engineering C4 traits in C3 crops.
Highlights from Plant Biology 2025
This annual gathering brought together plant scientists from around the globe for an inspiring week of scientific sessions, interactive workshops, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. The meeting served as a hub for professional growth and scientific exchange, equipping attendees with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to advance both their research and careers. This year’s conference welcomed over 984 scientists and researchers, featured 36 exhibitors, and offered 20 workshops across diverse areas of plant biology. Attendees engaged with 533 poster presentations and explored 727 completed abstracts.
Sorghum in Fermentation: New Insights into Genetics, Grain Traits, and Microbial Interactions from Baijiu to African Traditional Beers
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has long played a central role in the production of fermented beverages across continents, from West African dolo and pito to Chinese baijiu and emerging gluten-free craft beers in the West. A wave of recent research is shedding light on how sorghum’s grain properties, microbial interactions during fermentation, and genetic diversity influence the quality and sustainability of these beverages.
Genetic Insights into Plant Height Regulation: Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield through Brachytic Mutants
Research on brachytic mutants, including the SbMYB110 gene in sorghum and its maize ortholog ZmMYB78, demonstrates that genetic regulation of plant height through internode elongation and hormonal pathways can enhance crop resilience and yield, offering valuable strategies for modern agricultural breeding.
Transcriptional Regulation of Starch Biosynthesis in Sorghum: Functional Characterization of the B3 Transcription Factor SbLAV1
SbLAV1, a member of the B3 transcription factor family in sorghum, plays a key regulatory role in starch biosynthesis during grain development through transcriptional activation of starch biosynthesis-related genes.