Stocktake Sale on now: wide range of books at up to 70% off!
Register      Login
Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > Functional Plant 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.

Are you eligible for APC-free Open Access?

Download our Journal Metrics (PDF, 673KB)

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.

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.

FP24323 Abstract  | PDF (3.2 MB) - $35.00   | FP24323Supplementary Material (977 KB)
Published online 05 June 2025

FP24273Iodine application induces the antioxidant defense system, alleviates salt stress, reduces nitrate content, and increases the nutritional value of lettuce plants

Osama Abdelsalam Shalaby 0000-0002-9133-9530
 

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

FP24273 Abstract  | PDF (1.2 MB) - $35.00 
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.

FP24357 Abstract  | PDF (1.6 MB) - $35.00 
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.

FP25021 Abstract  | PDF (805 KB) - $35.00 
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.

FP25090 Abstract  | PDF (2.4 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 29 May 2025

FP25041Identification of key pathways and associated transcription factor-miRNA-gene regulatory networks driving heterosis in cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Rasmieh Hamid, Bahman Panahi 0000-0001-8523-994X and Feba Jacob
 

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.

FP25041 Abstract  | PDF (3.1 MB) - $35.00   | FP25041Supplementary Material (12.4 MB)
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.

FP24321 Abstract  |  FP24321 Full Text  | FP24321PDF (1.6 MB)  | FP24321Supplementary Material (390 KB)   Open Access Article

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.

FP25023 Abstract  | PDF (3.3 MB) - $35.00   | FP25023Supplementary Material (315 KB)
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.

FP24355 Abstract  | PDF (1.7 MB) - $35.00 
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.

FP24251 Abstract  |  FP24251 Full Text  | FP24251PDF (3.2 MB)  | FP24251Supplementary Material (967 KB)   Open Access Article

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.

FP24204 Abstract  | PDF (1.9 MB) - $35.00 
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.

FP25030 Abstract  |  FP25030 Full Text  | FP25030PDF (2.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 08 May 2025

FP24308Effect of CO2 content in air on functioning of Arabidopsis thaliana photosynthetic electron transport chain

Boris N. Ivanov 0000-0003-1453-5690, Marina A. Kozuleva, Natalia N. Rudenko, Lyudmila K. Ignatova, Elena M. Nadeeva, Ilya A. Naydov, Daria V. Vetoshkina, Daria V. Vilyanen and Maria M. Borisova-Mubarakshina
 

The CO2 level in the air is an important factor affecting plant productivity. The present study shows that acclimation of Arabidopsis to both elevated and reduced CO2 levels had similar negative effects on the function of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in higher plants. The results can help in the development of future strategies for genetic modification to offset the negative impact of changes in the air CO2 content in any direction.

FP24308 Abstract  | PDF (928 KB) - $35.00   | FP24308Supplementary Material (924 KB)
Published online 08 May 2025

FP25064Functional analysis of the CCoAOMT gene in Populus deltoides for enhancing tolerance to Alternaria burnsii

Ankit Yadav, Amar Sakure, Sushil Kumar 0000-0003-3767-8846, Akarsh Parihar, Dimple Gor, Vidyut Balar and Pratibha
 

This study is important because it identifies a potential genetic approach to enhance plant resistance against Alternaria blight (Alternaria burnsii), a disease causing severe economic losses. By demonstrating the role of PdCCoAOMT in lignin biosynthesis and disease mitigation, it offers a novel strategy for crop protection. The findings could contribute to the development of resistant crop varieties, reducing yield losses and improving agricultural sustainability.

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

FP25064 Abstract  | PDF (8.7 MB) - $35.00   | FP25064Supplementary Material (2.2 MB)
Published online 01 May 2025

FP24201Same with less: a method to reduce destructive sampling to estimate nitrogen use efficiency components using allometric relationships in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Lorena Guardia-Velarde 0000-0003-0031-9030, Jonathan E. Cope 0000-0002-0515-0521, Holger Metzler, Anna Westerbergh and Martin Weih
 

Balanced nutrition ensures healthy growth in crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum) and other staple foods by improving nutrient use efficiency that is related to maximising yield while safeguarding natural resources and reducing environmental pollution. Improving nutrient use efficiency by crop breeding usually requires a lot destructive plant sampling and costly chemical analysis. Here, we propose a new method to significantly reduce the destructive sampling and support the breeding of more N efficient crops.

FP24201 Abstract  |  FP24201 Full Text  | FP24201PDF (1.7 MB)  | FP24201Supplementary Material (542 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Soil Microbiome and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology papers will focus on the intricate interactions between soil microbes and abiotic stress factors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals, and their collective impact on plant root physiology, growth, and hormonal dynamics. Emphasising the role of microbial communities in enhancing plant resilience, this collection will explore mechanisms that mitigate stress responses and improve crop performance. By integrating current research on microbial-plant interactions and abiotic stress, the collection aims to advance our understanding of sustainable agricultural practices and provide insights into strategies for improving plant productivity under environmental constraints.

Collection Editors
Dr Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer (Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology)
Dr Hafiz Haider Ali (Government College University Lahore (GCUL))
Dr Clarisse Brígido (Universidade de Évora)
Dr Debadatta Sethi (Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology)

Last Updated: 05 Jun 2025

Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology papers summarises the technological and conceptual advances in genetics and functional genomics that have the potential to achieve the 2nd sustainable development goal of zero hunger under challenging climatic conditions. This collection represents Vol. II of this series.

Collection Editors
Sajid Fiaz (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Pakistan)
Muhammad Azhar Nadeem (Sivas University of Science and Technology, Turkey)
Inzamam Ul Haq (Gansu Agricultural University, China)

Last Updated: 05 Jun 2025

Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology includes articles summarising the technological and conceptual advancement in genetics and functional genomics with the potential for achieving the United Nations' second sustainable development goal of zero hunger under challenging climatic conditions. These articles illustrate the development of cutting-edge technologies helping researchers to develop germplasm with better resistance/tolerance for emerging food security threats.

Collection Editors
Sajid Fiaz (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Pakistan)
Muhammad Azhar Nadeem (Sivas University of Science and Technology, Turkey)
Inzamam Ul Haq (Gansu Agricultural University, China)

Last Updated: 22 Apr 2025

Machine Learning for Plant Stress Phenotyping

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology explores cutting-edge phenotyping applications of machine learning approaches for stress detection and plant phenotyping at the different scales of their structural organisation.

Collection Editors
Jungpil Shin (University of Aizu, Japan)
Md. Al Mehedi Hasan (Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh)
Yong Seok Hwang (Kwangwoon University, Korea)

Last Updated: 20 Sep 2024

Flooding Stress and Responses to Hypoxia in Plants

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology focuses on ‘Flooding stress and responses to hypoxia in plants’ and includes papers demonstrating various plant responses to low-O2 conditions, flooding stress and a combination of stresses commonly found in flooded areas. This compilation significantly advances our understanding of flooding stress and responses to low-O2 levels in plants.

Collection Editors
Romy Schmidt-Schippers (University of Bielefeld, Germany)
Ole Pedersen (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Angelika Mustroph (University of Bayreuth, Germany)
Daan Weits (Utrecht University, Netherlands)
Juan Jiménez (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Last Updated: 15 Mar 2024

Understanding Mechanistic Basis of Plant Adaptation to Salinity and Drought

Drought and salinity are two major constraints in agriculture, restricting plant growth and yield in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, and in the majority of plants, growth ceases under extreme exposure to drought and salt stress. This collection of Functional Plant Biology papers focuses on the advances and progress in studying the underlying mechanisms of salinity and drought tolerance in plants, particularly those that are considered agriculturally important.

Collection Editors
Muhammad Waseem (Hainan University, Sanya, China)
Mehtab Muhammad Aslam (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China)
Sunil Kumar Sahu (Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen, China)

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2024

Editor’s Choice – ‘Abiotic stress signalling and adaptation’

Agricultural crop production has to be increased by 70% by 2050 to ensure food security and meet the challenge of feeding a population of 9.3 billion. The only way to meet this challenge is by identifying key genes and mechanisms mediating plant sensing, signalling and adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, and then using modern genetic tools to modify them, to enable better plant performance. The papers selected for this Functional Plant Biology Collection contribute to this task and, therefore, may be of substantial interest to readers.

Collection Editor
Professor Sergey Shabala, Editor-in-Chief

Last Updated: 02 Oct 2017

Committee on Publication Ethics

Submit Article

Visit the journal’s submission site

Functional Plant Biology Submissions

Submit in the format of your choice with Format-Free Submission.

Call for Papers

We are seeking contributions for the following Special Issues. More

Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Official Journal of the Australian Society of Plant Scientists (asps.org.au).

ASPS logo

Best Paper Award

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

Advertisement