Genotypic variability in transpiration (T_r) response to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) exists in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The physiological mechanism governing the contrasting (T_r) response to VPD is debatable. The present study indicates that stomata mediate the T_r to VPD response in coordination with plant hydraulics.

The effect of UV-B radiation on biology received widespread attention in recent years. Zebrina pendula leaves could shield UV-B through a series of reactions to ensure normal physiological activities. Therefore, even under strong UV-B radiation, Z. pendula leaves could maintain normal growth.

Abiotic stresses can negatively affecting plant growth, development, and productivity, leading to low crop yield and quality. We report here the functional characterisation of OsLEA1a in transgenic rice and its overexpression enhance the tolerance of rice to diverse abiotic stresses by inhibiting cell membrane damage and enhancing reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity. These results show that OsLEA1a could be a useful candidate gene for engineering abiotic stress tolerance in cultivated plants.

Seed treatment with silicon oxide nanoparticles promotes seedling growth. SiO₂ nanopriming improves photosynthetic efficiency under drought stress. SiO₂ nanopriming alleviates the oxidative stress to tolerate drought stress. An increase in biomass was observed in nanoprimed drought stressed plants.

In Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., MYB59 transcription factor has been shown to regulate calcium homeostasis and is induced by cadmium excess. In populations of the facultative metallophyte Arabidopsis halleri ssp. halleri (L.) O’Kane and Al-Shehbaz characterised by different nutritional behaviours, MYB59 is differentially regulated under both calcium deficiency and exposure to cadmium. This suggests that MYB59 regulation is part of the complex network linking mineral nutrition and Cd tolerance/accumulation.

Sulfur is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but few studies have investigated its stoichiometry in terrestrial ecosystems and its contribution to plant functioning remains unclear. We found evidence that leaf sulfur content is positively correlated with leaf nitrogen content and is mainly associated with faster-growing types of plants.

Hypericum perforatum L., known as St. John’s wort, is a medicinal plant with anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. H. perforatum is recalcitrant to transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which limits metabolic engineering studies. We explored the expression profiles of key genes involved in several plant defence responses to get insights into the molecular basis of this recalcitrance. Our results suggest that secondary metabolites could impair pathogen´s growth, making H. perforatum recalcitrant to A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation.

Quinoa is suitable for growing in high-altitude areas and it is resistant to multiple abiotic stresses. GRAS is a fundamental transcription factor in plant growth and development. To date, systematic analysis of the GRAS gene family in quinoa has not yet been conducted. To accelerate the improvement of quinoa as a crop, this study provides valuable information for understanding the functions of GRAS genes in quinoa.