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Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology

Functional Plant Biology

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 is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

The genetic regulation of soybean nitrogen fixation is poorly understood. Here, we describe evidence for a membrane bound basic helix loop helix transcription factor (GmbHLHm1) influencing nodule development and nitrogen fixation when either silenced (negative) or overexpressed (positive). We also demonstrate a preliminary link with gibberellic acid in the control of GmbHLHm1 expression in soybean (Glycine max) nodules.

Drought stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that cause plant yield reduction, and research on improving plant drought tolerance has attracted widespread attention. Our previous experiments confirmed that two mulberry spermidine synthase genes (MnSPDS1 and MnSPDS2) encode for functional proteins and were expressed highly under drought stress. Overexpression of MnSPDS1/MnSPDS2 at the physiological level alleviated membrane damage caused by drought and improved osmotic regulation and antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that a high level of accumulation of spermidine in the mulberry conferred a high tolerance to drought stress.

Published online 13 June 2025

FP25018Identification and analysis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) family genes in oat (Avena sativa L.) and their potential role in abiotic stress responses

Mouna Ghorbel, Ikram Zribi, Ahmad Alghamidi 0000-0001-9186-7969, Khalil Mseddi 0000-0003-3401-2897 and Faiçal Brini 0000-0002-8435-381X
 

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes form the first line of plant protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in cells. We identified 14 AvSOD genes including nine AvCSDs, two AvMSDs, and three AvFSDs genes in oat (Avena sativa) genome. The expression profile of all SOD genes under salt, drought, cold, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid treatments was strongly upregulated. Our findings provide important information about candidate genes for a further functional characterisation in oat plants to select stress tolerant varieties.

Published online 06 June 2025

FP24323Multivariate analysis reveals physiological trade-offs and synergies under light and nutrient gradients in the herbaceous species Agastache rugosa

Khairul Azree Rosli 0009-0002-9150-3684, Azizah Misran, Latifah Saiful Yazan and Puteri Edaroyati Megat Wahab
 

Plants are the ultimate survivors, adapting to diverse and changing environments with remarkable resilience. In this study, we investigated the intricate strategies employed by the herbaceous species Agastache rugosa to optimise its growth and resource use across varying light and nutrient conditions in tropical habitats. Our findings showed that this adaptable plant fine-tunes its leaf structure, photosynthesis, and nutrient allocation in a coordinated manner, providing valuable insights into how plants may cope with the challenges posed by global environmental change.

Iodine application reduced the deleterious effects of salinity on lettuce. Iodine affects plants in a dose-dependent manner, with low doses stimulating but high doses inhibiting. Iodine spray increased the activity of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Plants treated with iodine showed reduced toxic compounds such as H2O2 and malondialdehyde. Lettuce plants sprayed with iodine showed improved nutritional status and increased photosynthetic pigments. Iodine addition increased lettuce growth and yield while reducing its nitrate content

This article belongs to the collection: Soil Microbiome and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants.

Published online 05 June 2025

FP24357Advanced gene editing techniques for enhancing disease resistance and climate resilience in crops

Zareen Sarfraz, Yusra Zarlashat 0009-0000-8744-2255, Alia Ambreen, Muhammad Mujahid and Muhammad Shahid Iqbal 0000-0001-5458-1179
 

In an era where food security is increasingly threatened by climate change and plant diseases, innovative solutions are essential for sustainable agriculture. This review explores advanced gene editing techniques that enhance disease resistance in crops, revealing that methods such as CRISPR/Cas9 can significantly improve crop resilience and yield. By harnessing these cutting-edge technologies, we can pave the way for more robust agricultural practices that ensure a stable food supply and promote environmental sustainability.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 05 June 2025

FP25021Shaping the future of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) through new genetic improvement strategies

Nasser Abdullah Ghdayer Al Kaabi, Karthishwaran Kandhan, Faisal Hayat 0000-0001-8762-9693, Saif Ali Matar Al Blooshi, Mohamed S. Sheteiwy and Mohammed Alyafei
 

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) breeding faces challenges due to its long generation time, dioecious nature, and genetic heterogeneity. Advances in genomics and molecular biology such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) offer precise trait modification to enhance breeding efficiency. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal stress tolerance mechanisms and secondary metabolism pathways, such as flavonoids. Genomic studies, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and miRNA profiling, provide insights into fruit development and resilience. These innovations are transforming date palm breeding, enabling faster development of superior cultivars.

Published online 05 June 2025

FP25090Flag leaf metabolomics and agronomic performance in rice cultivars under nitrogen-potassium fertilization

Mahmoud Moustafa, Ambreen Maqsood 0000-0002-0788-8909, Muhammad Taimoor Shakeel, Muhammad Naveed Aslam, Khurram Shahzad, Idrees Haider 0000-0002-3587-1194, Uthman Algopishi, Mohammed O. Alshaharni and Suliman A. Alrumman
 

Varying levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers influence growth, photosynthesis and metabolic activity in two rice cultivars, IRRI-6 and ksk 434. Optimal fertilization enhances nitrogen use efficiency, boosts grain yield and upregulates key genes linked to photosynthesis. Through examining leaf traits and metabolite profiles, research highlights sustainable strategies for improving rice productivity while minimizing environmental impact through more efficient fertilizer use.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

We investigated the molecular basis of heterosis in cotton (Gossypium spp.) using RNA-seq meta-analysis of root and bud tissues from hybrid and parental lines. A total of 591 differentially expressed genes were identified, with tissue-specific and shared patterns. Functional enrichment revealed key roles in circadian rhythm, water transport, and primary metabolism. Regulatory networks involving miRNAs, transcription factors, and target genes were reconstructed, providing novel insights into heterosis-associated gene regulation and a valuable framework for enhancing hybrid performance in breeding programs.

Published online 22 May 2025

FP24321Enhancing deep sowing success: genetic diversity in mesocotyl and coleoptile length, and field establishment of oats (Avena sativa)

Angelia Tanu 0009-0008-0364-8554, Allan Rattey, Andrew Fletcher 0000-0003-1236-2319, Sarah Rich 0000-0002-0768-4033, Alexandra Taylor 0009-0005-3407-7000 and Erik Veneklaas
 

Oats (Avena sativa) are the only winter-cereal with a mesocotyl, potentially allowing them to be well-adapted to emerge from deep sowing. This research paper compares the mesocotyl, coleoptile, and total length of 195 oat varieties to look for genetic variation in these traits. The paper also compares the emergence of oats from deep sowing with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties.

Published online 22 May 2025

FP25023Decoding the expression patterns and characterisation of calmodulin and calmodulin-like gene families in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) under abiotic stresses

Ali Aslam 0000-0001-7984-4211, Ruimin Zhang, Muhammad Waseem 0000-0001-7947-7722, Zhang Huang, Ashir Masroor, Munazza Kiran, Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Tayyab, Rabia Nawaz, Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Naveed Babur, Sher Muhammad 0000-0002-5235-2193, Muhammad Khuram Razzaq, Zainab Ahmad, Qinghua Shi, Ammara Tahir and Idrees Khan
 

This study identifies and characterises the calmodulin (CAM) and calmodulin-like (CML) gene family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Expression analyses under abiotic stress conditions revealed key genes potentially involved in stress responses, particularly drought and salinity. These findings provide insights into the functional roles of CaM and CML genes and their application in developing stress-tolerant watermelon varieties.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 15 May 2025

FP24355Past trauma, better future: how stress memory shapes plant adaptation to drought

Md. Mezanur Rahman 0000-0001-8822-9683, Sanjida Sultana Keya, Mallesham Bulle, S.M. Ahsan, Md. Abiar Rahman, Md. Shyduzzaman Roni, Md. Mahmud Al Noor and Mehedi Hasan
 

This review explores plant drought memory, emphasizing molecular and physiological strategies plants use to encode, retain, and leverage stress imprints for enhanced resilience. The roles of DNA methylation, histone remodeling, small RNAs, and abscisic acid are highlighted. Memory-induced root system plasticity, transgenerational inheritance, and interactions with beneficial soil microbes are also discussed. By integrating cutting-edge tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and single-cell multi-omics, this work presents a path toward engineering drought-resilient crops to tackle climate volatility and global food security challenges.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 15 May 2025

FP24251Modulation of key sterol-related genes of Nicotiana benthamiana by phosphite treatment during infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi

Aayushree Kharel 0000-0002-5704-1757, Mark Ziemann, James Rookes 0000-0003-1479-2339 and David Cahill 0000-0002-2556-0528
 

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a devastating plant pathogen and poses a serious threat to agricultural crops and forest ecosystems, and relies on plant sterols for its growth and reproduction. Our research shows that infection by P. cinnamomi disrupts sterol production in plants, altering this critical pathway. These findings highlight sterols as a promising target for developing innovative strategies to control this highly destructive pathogen and protect vulnerable plant species.

Published online 12 May 2025

FP24204Physiological and biochemical responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings to NaCl stress and analysis of salt tolerance thresholds

Lupeng Sun, Xin Cai, Dianjun Chen, Yang Cai and Fenghua Zhang 0000-0002-1666-9548
 

Although cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) has high salt tolerance, its growth is still affected by salt stress. Salt-tolerant cotton varieties protected the cell membrane structure by maintaining high antioxidant enzyme activity, low malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage. Thus, the normal physiological metabolism and photosynthetic system are maintained to confer high salt tolerance. This study provides clarification of the physiological mechanism of salt tolerance of cotton seedlings for growth on saline-alkaline land.

Published online 12 May 2025

FP25030Inhibitors of lysine biosynthesis enzymes as potential new herbicides

Emily R. R. Mackie, Mirrin V. McKay, Andrew S. Barrow and Tatiana P. Soares da Costa 0000-0002-6275-7485
 

Herbicides are critical for weed management, but options are dwindling given the continuous rise in herbicide-resistant weeds. This review describes the potential of targeting lysine production in weeds as a novel herbicide mode of action. Such new herbicide modes of action are urgently needed for sustainable agricultural productivity to ensure food security.

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Best Paper Award

Phan Thi Thanh Hoai has been awarded the ASPS-FPB Best Paper Award for 2023.

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