Bioinformatics analysis showed associations between Calvin cycle and photorespiration pathways’ key genes. Some microRNAs were identified as post-transcriptional regulators in rapeseed (Brassica napus). The methanol foliar application enhanced plant tolerance under drought stress.

Plants, as sessile, have developed a series of mechanisms to adapt the environmental stresses, which was regulated by a cascade of genes and transcriptional factors. Here, we analysed the gene function of MsKMS1 in seed germination of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) under abiotic stress conditions and found that MsKMS1 negatively affected seed germination by increasing ABA and salicylic acid contents, regulating the expression of genes related to ABA and GA biosynthesis.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) produces nutritious and gluten-free grains with a fine balance between carbohydrates, essential amino acids, oils, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibres. The transcription factors (TFs) are the proteins regulating rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA. The R2R3-MYB transcription factors are the largest subfamily of the MYB family in plants, whereas the numbers of 4R-MYB and 3R-MYB genes are relatively small. In this study, we identified 103 poplar R2R3-MYB transcription factor genes.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

Cross-talk between photosynthesis, fatty acids, starch and sucrose metabolism under multiple stress conditions were highlighted by network analysis of meta genes in Dunaliella tertiolecta. Coordinated expression of the tetrapyrrole intermediated were observed. Vitamin B6 metabolism, ribosome biogenesis and folate biosynthesis specifically responded to different stress conditions.

The specific impact of elevated CO₂ on metabolic pathways in wheat (Triticum spp.) organs other than leaves is poorly documented. We addressed this aspect by taking advantage of a free-air CO₂ enrichment experiment in durum wheat (Triticum durum). We found changes in polyamine and cytokinin metabolism under elevated CO₂ in glumes and awns but no modifications in final composition at maturity. Elevated CO₂ mostly impacts on leaf metabolism but has little effect on glumes and awns.

The pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a diploid legume, grown in humid and subtropic regions around the world. The gene family of Squamosa Promoter-binding like Proteins has been studied in different plant species, but is not yet fully explored in pigeon pea. The identified genes were classified into nine groups based on a phylogenetic analysis. Gene expression analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that CcSPL2.1, 3 and 13A were significantly upregulated in salt-tolerant cultivars, which could be further explored.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

Melatonin, as an exogenous hormone, has been widely used in improving plant stress resistance. This paper systematically describes how melatonin improves the ability of plants to resist water stress (drought and waterlogging) in the processes of photosynthesis, antioxidation and osmosis at the physiological and genetic levels. Melatonin can also improve plant stress resistance with other hormone crosstalk, which has high application value.

Environmental constraints like salinity and drought hinder plant growth by affecting plant morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular processes, final crop productivity and threat to global food security. Researches on plant responses to salinity and drought stress is ongoing worldwide. Novel breeding strategies are being adopted due to their short-term impact on agriculture. Given agriculture’s current challenges, we must consider how to effectively transfer laboratory knowledge to the field to mitigate these challenges. This collection discusses plant responses to drought and salinity.

This article belongs to the Collection Understanding the Mechanistic Basis of Plant Adaptation to Salinity and Drought.