Zeitschrift: Plant Biology

In the article "Impact of emerging compound droughts on forests: A water supply and demand perspective" the authors C. Werner,  M. Bahn,  T. E. E. Grams,  C. Grossiord,  S. Haberstroh,  G. Lenczner,  D. Tuia,  H. Vallicrosa not only summarize physiological and ecological responses of trees to emerging compound droughts, but also explain the role of acclimation and consequences for ecosystem-level functions. They explore the physiological and ecological mechanisms underlying tree water and carbon regulation during these extreme conditions, focusing on the balance between water demand and supply, the role of acclimation, and its consequences for ecosystem-level functions. By examining the mechanisms at play from the organ to the ecosystem-scale, they provide a comprehensive understanding of how trees and forests are likely to respond to an increasingly unpredictable climate with a higher likelihood of compound
droughts.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70080

In their review "Drought-induced aesthetic decline and ecological impacts on ornamentals: mechanisms of damage and innovative strategies for mitigation" the authors S. Chachar, N. Ahmed, and X. Hu summarize drought responses in ornamental plants by emphasizing hormone regulation, antioxidant defence, and gene expression changes. They focus on the dual challenge of ensuring drought tolerance while preserving aesthetic traits, which sets ornamentals apart from other plant types. The authors present innovative management strategies, such as genetic engineering (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9), transcription factor manipulation, and exogenous applications of hormones and biostimulants to enhance resilience, as well as solutions to mitigate drought-induced damage. This review underscores the urgent need for integrated molecular, physiological, and horticultural strategies to balance these demands, offering a roadmap to sustain the aesthetic and ecological contributions of ornamentals in an era of increasing climate variability. 

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70074 

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In their review "Genome blaze: engineering chilli pepper chloroplasts for sustainable production of capsaicinoids through organellar genome editing" the authors M. Bulle,  S. Abbagani,  A. Raza summarize recent advances for genetic improvement of Chilli peppers, enriched with heightened levels of phytochemicals, such as capsinoids (CATs) and capsaicinoids (CAPs) with potential health benefits. The expression of specific genes is crucial to stimulate the CAT and CAP levels in response to environmental conditions. The authors also highlight recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas and plastid engineering within Capsicum, coupled with application of base editing approaches for editing plant organelle DNA. The review also assesses the challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of commercial and sustainable production of bioactive compounds specific to Capsicum species.

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70067 

(DBG's members are able to access all Plant Biology papers via our intranet).

Since the parasitic processes in Cuscuta are closely linked to their cell wall structures and functions, authors M. Takagawa and R. Yokoyama have put together current knowledge in a review. In the paper "Current understanding of the role of the cell wall in Cuscuta parasitism", they summarise each of the processes: 

• the beginings with tight coiling around the host stem by the strong tensile force of the thickened inner cell wall layers
• attachment to the host surface using secretory cell wall components
• invasion of a feeding structure (haustorium), facilitated by degradation and modification of host cell walls
• haustoria-derived search hyphae transdifferentiation into tracheary elements of the secondary cell walls
• since secondary cell walls provide mechanical strength and hydrophobicity to the tracheary element, Cuscuta can draw fluids from the host through the tracheary element.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (20xx) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70059 

The paper summarizes transposon chromosomal niches, and the functional consequences of their specific chromosomal localization in plants. The authors E. Kejnovsky, P. Jedlicka, M. Lexa and Z. Kubat review specific chromosomal niches where transposable elements (TEs) are often localized including 

• centromeres
• (sub)telomeres
• genes
• sex chromosomes.

They also focus on the processes standing behind non-equal distribution of various TEs in genomes including 

• purifying selection
• insertion site preference or targeting of TEs
• post-insertion ectopic recombination between TEs
• spatiotemporal regulation of TE jumping.

They explain the distribution of TEs on sex chromosomes, describe the phenomena of mutual nesting of TEs, epigenetic mark silencing in TEs, and TE interactions in the 3D interphase nucleus concerning TE localization and summarize the functional consequences of TE distribution and relate them to cell functioning and genome evolution.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70057 

Special issue “Ecology and Evolution of Plant Chemodiversity” in our Journal Plant Biology is edited by C. Müller, B. Fuchs,  J.-P. Schnitzler,  S. B. Unsicker,  and S. R. Whitehead. 

This compilation of current research systematically explores dimensions of phytochemical diversity, plant metabolites, fine-tunings, as well as about interactions among mutualists, antagonists, and plants. Why this results are of crucial importance for plant sciences is explained in the editorial DOI: 10.1111/plb.13667 

Read issue information under DOI: 10.1111/plb.13667 

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In their research paper "Root water uptake depth in temperate forest trees: species-specific patterns shaped by neighbourhood and environment" authors Hackmann, Paligi, Mund, Hölscher, Leuschner, Pietig and Ammer used stable water isotopes to compare water uptake in pure and mixed stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Beech and Douglas fir had access to water from deeper soil layers, unlike spruce. Beech used deeper water in mixtures with both conifers, while spruce shifted to shallower layers in mixture with beech. Douglas fir showed no significant difference between pure and mixed stand. They emphasize the importance of species-specific traits and mixture effects in forest water cycles, and how they are mediated by site and environmental conditions. Conclusion: Douglas fir appears more drought resistant than Norway spruce, by accessing deeper water sources. Beech and Douglas fir may equally coexist, while beech presence exacerbates the drought exposure of spruce. 

Read early view of whole paper Open Access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70058 

The authors Katharina Wolff and Boas Pucker summarize current knowledge about anthocyanin pigmentation variation, several different regulatory mechanisms, three potential ecological functions and promising industrial applications in their review "dark side of anthocyanin pigmentation". They conclude: Understanding the genetic basis of dark pigment accumulation would facilitate biotechnological and agricultural applications.

Read whole paper Open Access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70047 

Human-invisible but bee-visible UV-patterns in flowers aid pollination by signalling pollinators and protecting vulnerable DNA in pollen. In their review the authors Lunau, Camargo, and Ren summarize functions of UV pigments and UV reflection patterns in flowers, including visual signalling by reflectance, fluorescence, and gloss, as well as protection against UV radiation. Advantages and limits of spectrophotometry, UV photography and false colour photography in bee view are discussed. Authors briefly touch how flower UV patterns may change in response to increasing global UV radiation, potentially influencing plant pollination.

Read whole paper Open Access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70050 

The primary medicinal components in G. biloba, flavonoids, have antiinflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects, and are promising in treating Alzheimer’s disease and hypertension. In their review "Ginkgo biloba flavonoids: Analysis of functions, regulatory mechanisms, and extraction" authors Wang, Zhang, Liao, Ye, Xu, and Wang highlight structural genes and regulatory factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, explore how abiotic factors influence flavonoid accumulation, and outline optimal extraction methods for increasing the flavonoid content in G. biloba. They address insights for future production practices and scientific research that will enhance the medicinal and commercial value of G. biloba. 

Read whole paper Open Access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: DOI: 10.1111/plb.70054 

MicroRNAs are more difficult to study than other RNAs. Therefore, the authors Hernández, Sierra-Sarabia, Díaz-Camino and Reyes summarize functions of non-conserved microRNAs in the legumes known so far. They address their potential role in regulating important processes, such as stress responses and communication with other organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Their review "Non-conserved microRNAs and their roles in plants: the case for legumes" comes to the conclusion that non-conserved microRNAs are likely to contribute to more gene regulation circuits than currently appreciated, and in a wider range of plant species.

Read whole paper Open Access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70027 

In the article author Trinh introduces the modified version of the tubulin kinase PROPYZAMID-HYPERSENSITIVE 1 (PHS1), named PHS1ΔP, and describes it as a tool to study microtubules. Traditionally, research involving microtubules relies on analysing mutants with altered microtubule properties or treating plant tissues with drugs that interfere with microtubule behaviours and unfortunately are not specific. In this article "PHS1ΔP as a promising tool to study microtubule-related processes in plant sciences" microtubules could be manipulated with high spatial and temporal accuracy and several microtubule-related research questions could be addressed. The author therefore suggests that also other researchers could adopt the technique in the future. 

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70019 

(DBG's members are able to access all Plant Biology papers via our intranet).

This review summarizes more than 20 years of research and focusses on the role of hybridization, polyploidization, and environmental factors in shaping the phenotypic diversity of the more than 100 existing wild potato species. In their article "Unveiling the hidden codes: a review of variability and ecological epigenetics after 20 years of studies on potato" authors Masuelli, Cara and Kozub address the ecological implications of epigenetic variation, emphasizing its role in plant adaptation to changing environments. The authors also propose a model that integrates epigenetic variability into the evolution of natural potato populations, highlighting its potential for rapid adaptation and phenotypic differentiation.

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.70003

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In their review "the branched-chain amino acid-related isoleucic acid: recent research advances" authors Mekonnen, Ghirardo, Zhang, and Schäffner review recent progress in the characterization of isoleucic acid (ILA) biosynthesis and function in plants and discuss current knowledge gaps and future directions in ILA research. ILA plays a positive role in plant signalling for defence responses against bacterial pathogens by increasing the abundance of salicylic acid aglycone through competitive inhibition of SA deactivation by glucosylation. ILA is also important for humans with maple syrup urine disease who are defective in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), that is, isoleucine, leucine, and valine and accumulate BCAA breakdown products like 2-keto acid derivatives. They also summarize the differences in ILA biosynthesis, regulation, and functional roles in plants vs. mammals.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2025) DOI: 10.1111/plb.13771

Maintaining quality and delaying senescence in horticultural products is important for their nutritional quality, shelf life, commercial value, and marketability. The review "The role of melatonin in delaying senescence and maintaining quality in postharvest horticultural products" by Liu et al. summarizes significant effects of exogenous Melatonin (MT) application on postharvest horticultural products, examines regulatory mechanisms of MT-mediated effects, and provides an integrated review for understanding the positive role of MT in senescence delay and quality maintenance. Also its role as multifunctional molecule and its coordinating functions are put together. The authors conclude that MT could become an emerging and eco-friendly preservative to extend shelf life and maintain postharvest quality of horticultural products.

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2024) DOI: 10.1111/plb.13706

(DBG's members are able to access all Plant Biology papers via our intranet).

In their review authors Pittman and Hirschi summarize recent findings on the significance of CAX transporters (Cation/H⁺ Exchangers) in plant signal transduction and element partitioning. This may open future ways of strategically manipulating the temporal loss of CAX function in agriculturally important crops that may bolster plant immunity, enhance cold tolerance, and fortify resilience against one of agriculture’s most significant challenges, namely flooding. In their review entitled "CAX control: multiple roles of vacuolar cation/H⁺ exchangers in metal tolerance, mineral nutrition and environmental signalling" the authors also address the use of genetically encoded Ca²⁺ sensors, the loss of CAX functions and specific stress conditions, as well as the determination of optimal timing and approach for modulating the expression of CAX.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2024) DOI: 10.1111/plb.13698

Since the precise mechanisms through which nitrogen influences lignin biosynthesis have not been fully elucidated, the authors Peng, Shrestha, Zhang, Fan, Yu and Wang summarize a systematic search of the literature. Among the selected studies, 64.52% refer to lignin content found a negative correlation between nitrogen availability and lignin content. High nitrogen decreases the lignin content, delays cell lignification, increases p-hydroxyphenyl propane monomer content, and regulates lignin synthesis through the expression of key genes. Nitrogen deficiency enhances lignin synthesis through the accumulation of phenylpropanoids, phenolics, and soluble carbohydrates, and indirect changes in phytohormones, secondary metabolites, etc. The paper "How lignin biosynthesis responds to nitrogen in plants: a scoping review" provides new insights and important references for future studies on the regulation of lignin biosynthesis.

Read whole paper in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2024) DOI: 10.1111/plb.13627

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In their review "The modelling of flower colour: spectral purity or colour contrast as biologically relevant descriptors of flower colour signals for bees depending upon the perceptual task" authors Lunau and Dyer ask whether quantitative modelling of flower signals should strive for repeatable consistency enabled by parameter simplification, or whether modelling should reflect the dynamic way in which bees are known to process signals. They also touch why colour is an interpretation of spectral information by the animal's brain, and how bee's colour perception is based on physiological, neuroanatomical and behavioural evidence to provide a pathway for modelling flower colours. They ask, whether flower petals and floral guides as viewed against spectrally different backgrounds should be considered as a simple colour contrast problem or require a more dynamic consideration of how bees make perceptual decisions. The authors also discuss exploitative vs. honest signalling.

Read whole paper open access in our scientific journal Plant Biology (2024) DOI: 10.1111/plb.13682