Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology publishes new and significant information on the functional biology of plants at all scales from the molecular through whole plant to community. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Sergey Shabala

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Functional Plant Biology has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 14 May 2024

FP24019Impact of exogenous melatonin foliar application on physiology and fruit quality of wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) under salt stress

Yuanyuan Li, Congcong Zhang, Xu Lu, Haokai Yan, Guojie Nai, Meishuang Gong, Ying Lai, Zhihui Pu, Li Wei, Shaoying Ma

and Sheng Li

In this study, by foliar spraying of 100 and 300 μmol L⁻¹ melatonin, the results showed that melatonin was able to reduce the damage of salt stress on the photosynthetic system and antioxidant system of wine grape (Vitis vinifera) leaves, and also improve the shape of the fruit and the intrinsic quality of the grape berries, such as sugar, acid, and nitrogenous compounds. Melatonin at 100 μmol L⁻¹ was found to be the most effective.

Published online 14 May 2024

FP23254Evaluation of potential increase in photosynthetic efficiency of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) plants exposed to elevated carbon dioxide

V. Ravi, Saravanan Raju and Sanket J. More

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) exhibited a positive response to elevated CO₂ levels (ranging from 600 to 1000 ppm) compared to the ambient concentration of 400 ppm CO₂. Most of the photosynthetic parameters showed steady improvement up to 800 ppm, followed by down-regulation at the highest concentration. The physiological water use efficiency of fourteen cassava varieties was enhanced at 1000 ppm due to restricted stomatal activity and reduced transpiration rate.

Published online 13 May 2024

FP24073Starch and sucrose metabolism plays an important role in the stem development in Medicago sativa

Jierui Wu

, Xiaoyu Wang

, Lin Bian

, Zhenyi Li

, Xiaohong Jiang

, Fengling Shi

, Fang Tang

and Zhiqiang Zhang

The forage quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) stems is greater than the leaves. Starch and sucrose metabolism provide energy during alfalfa stem development. Different varieties of alfalfa have different sucrose, starch and related enzyme activities. Hollow stems will be formed during the rapid growth of alfalfa, which may be related to the redistribution of carbohydrates in the pith tissue. Our results may provide a new theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of sucrose and starch accumulation in alfalfa stems.

FP24073 Abstract | FP24073 Full Text | FP24073PDF (2.7 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 09 May 2024

FP23320Identification of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase gene family in potato: revealed StCRLK9 in response to heat, salt and drought stresses

Roshan Zameer

, Khairiah Mubarak Alwutayd, Dikhnah Alshehri, Muhammad Salman Mubarik, Cheng Li, Chengde Yu and Zhifang Li

Potato (Solanum tuberosum), the third-largest staple food crop, faces a major food security threat from environmental factors including salinity, temperature fluctuations and drought. We characterise the cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase (CRLK) gene family in potato, shedding light on its molecular mechanism in the complex interplay between plants and environmental stressors. The gene StCRLK9 may be involved in various abiotic stress responses. This establishes the groundwork for further investigations into the role of the potato CRLKs gene family in engineering climate resilient future crop plants.

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

Published online 07 May 2024

FP24034_COCorrigendum to: Understanding the role of the fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene for enhancing the photosynthetic rate in Arabidopsis thaliana

Fatima Gulzar, Raza Ahmad, Suk-Yoon Kwan, Zulqurnain Khan, Sulaiman Ali Alharbi, Mohmmad Maroof Shah, Shoaib ur Rehman, Maria Siddique, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Irum Shahzadi, Muhammad Abu Bakar Saddique, Muhmmad Zahid Ishaq and Ummara Waheed

FP24034_CO Full Text | FP24034_COPDF (158 KB)

Published online 03 May 2024

FP23267No-tillage enhances soil water storage, grain yield and water use efficiency in dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) cropping systems: a global meta-analysis

Muhammad Adil

, Siqi Lu, Zijie Yao, Cheng Zhang, Heli Lu, Safdar Bashir, Mansoor Maitah, Isma Gul, Sehar Razzaq and Lin Qiu

Agricultural productivity has been affected by climate change. This study investigated the effects of conventional and conservation tillage methods on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) physiology. Our findings suggest that conservation tillage is a promising practice to increase precipitation water storage, soil water conservation and crop yield in the regions with medium to low mean annual precipitation and medium to high mean annual temperature.

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

Published online 02 May 2024

FP24036Recent advances in genome editing strategies for balancing growth and defence in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

Maira Tanveer

, Zain Ul Abidin, Hussam F. Najeeb Alawadi, Ahmad Naeem Shahzad, Athar Mahmood

, Bilal Ahmad Khan, Sameer Qari and Hesham Farouk Oraby

Various approaches are employed to enhance yield of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and resilience in harsh climates. Among these, CRISPR/Cas is one of the most promising and rapidly advancing fields. With the help of these techniques, several crops like rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays) and sugarcane have been improved to be resistant against harsh conditions.

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

Published online 30 April 2024

FP23315The genetic control of herkogamy

Jacques-Joseph Boucher, Hilary S. Ireland, Ruiling Wang, Karine M. David and Robert J. Schaffer

Plants go to extreme lengths to promote outcrossing by creating pollen that cannot fertilise itself (self-incompatibility), spatially separating the male and female organs (herkogamy), and even having male-only and female-only plants (dioecy). In this review, we describe how herkogamy is achieved by changing the floral structure of the flower and cover the known genetic and molecular control of these changes. This will lay the foundations for future work in this area.

FP23315 Abstract | FP23315 Full Text | FP23315PDF (756 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 29 April 2024

FP23310Genome-wide association studies identifies genetic loci related to fatty acid and branched-chain amino acid metabolism and histone modifications under varying nitrogen treatments in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

Fawad Ali, Mian A. R. Arif, Arif Ali, Muhammad A. Nadeem, Emre Aksoy, Allah Bakhsh, Shahid U. Khan, Cemal Kurt, Dilek Tekdal, Muhammad K. Ilyas

, Amjad Hameed, Yong S. Chung and Faheem S. Baloch

Optimising nitrogen intake in agricultural plants is essential to boost crop production without compromising the environment and natural resources. This is the first genome-wide association studies (GWAS) report to uncover the genetic loci under varying nitrogen treatments in under-utilised industrial crop safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and the identified loci were found related to fatty acid and branched-chain amino acid metabolism and histone modifications. The identified markers and eight best-performing genotypes will be beneficial in future safflower nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) breeding.

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

Published online 26 April 2024

FP23091Blue light regulated lignin and cellulose content of soybean petioles and stems under low light intensity

Wei He

, Qiang Chai, Cai Zhao, Aizhong Yu, Zhilong Fan, Wen Yin, Falong Hu, Hong Fan, Yali Sun and Feng Wang

Increasing plant density is an important way to improve soybean yields, but risks increased lodging. Light plays a crucial role in regulating structural polymers that provide mechanical support to plants. Under a low light intensity, blue light regulated lignin and cellulose content of soybean petioles and stems. Under low light intensity, 20% blue light enhanced petiole length and lignin content; whereas 50% blue light increased cellulose content in stems and lowered plants’ centre of gravity, preventing lodging and saving carbohydrate allocation.

Published online 26 April 2024

FP23272Enhanced photochemical efficiency of PSII in Prosopis juliflora suggests contribution to invasion advantage over native C₃ xero-halophytes under salt stress

Ahmad Zia

, Salman Gulzar and Alexander V. Ruban

Modulating photochemistry renders significant competitive physiological advantage. PSII photochemistry enhances the performance index of energy conservation (PI_ABS). Enhanced pigment contents and stoichiometry upregulate energy fluxes and yields.

Published online 26 April 2024

FP23144Overexpression of TaMPK3 enhances freezing tolerance by increasing the expression of ICE-CBF-COR related genes in the Arabidopsis thaliana

Rui Wang, Mengmeng Yu, Xin Zhao, Jingqiu Xia, Jing Cang and Da Zhang

Cold tolerance in crop plants is an important topic, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in plant stress response. However, the regulatory function of TaMPK3 in freezing tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) remains unknown. This study initially revealed the role of TaMPK3 in freezing tolerance, and broadened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MAPs regulation of plant cold tolerance.

Published online 26 April 2024

FP24032Small ubiquitin-like modifiers E3 ligases in plant stress

Shantwana Ghimire

, Md Mahadi Hasan and Xiang-Wen Fang

Plants respond to stresses like salt, drought, cold, heat, heavy metals and pathogens by modifying certain proteins using small ubiquitin-like modifiers. This process is facilitated by a class of compounds known as E3 ligases. We provide a comprehensive overview of E3 ligases and their substrates associated with biotic and abiotic stresses, elucidating the diverse and complex mechanisms by which this pathway facilitates plant survival under stress conditions. These essential insights are crucial for comprehending plant molecular reactions to such stresses.

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

Published online 26 April 2024

FP23295Genomic blueprints of soybean (Glycine max) pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture

Aiman Hina

, Muhammad Khuram Razzaq

, Asim Abbasi

, Muhamad Basit Shehzad, Muhammad Arshad, Tayyaba Sanaullah, Kamran Arshad, Ghulam Raza

, Hayssam M. Ali, Faisal Hayat, Naeem Akhtar and Nader R. Abdelsalam

Soybean (Glycine max) is an important oil, protein and biodiesel crop, but various diseases cause economic losses and putting global nutritional stability at risk. It’s crucial for scientists to work together to study soybean genes and how they respond to diseases and stress. This will help us meet the growing food demand and adapt to environmental changes, ensuring a strong future for agriculture.

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

Published online 26 April 2024

FP23205Physiological responses of the microalgae Thalassiosira weissflogii to the presence of the herbicide glyphosate in the medium

Ekaterina Solomonova

, Natalia Shoman

and Arkady Akimov

Glyphosate inhibits the growth of the microalgae Thalassiosira weissflogii by reducing the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, and provoking depolarisation of mitochondrial membranes and oxidative stress in algae cells. Glyphosate remains toxic in water for at least 9 days, and can lead to a change in the species structure of natural biocoenoses.