Moderate shading promotes the growth of Bletilla striata by enhancing chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant defence mechanisms. Seasonal water stress further modulated oxidative responses. These findings provide new insights into the adaptive strategies of B. striata to light and water availability, informing improved cultivation in horticultural and ecological applications.

Sugarcane yield is threatened by fungal pathogens, prompting plants to activate defense proteins such as SUGARWINs. This study identified two SUGARWIN interactors – oxygen evolving enhancer protein 1 and synaptotagmin 1 – through cDNA library screening, with interactions confirmed by biomolecular fluorescence complementation assay. These proteins may contribute to fungal resistance, offering insights into sugarcane’s defense mechanisms and potential strategies for enhancing crop protection.

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

Drought exposure can lead to substantial agricultural yield losses, causing agriculture to collapse in many developing countries. This study aimed to examine the beneficial effects of nitric oxide spray on Gazania regens under drought conditions and the results showed that nitric oxide application helped reduce the negative effects of drought on gazania. It is suggested that supplementing with nitric oxide could be a practical and environmentally friendly approach to enhance drought resilience in Gazania regens.

N spectrum facilitated earlier soybean (Glycine max) biomass accumulation, and enhanced the strength of soybean petioles and stems.

Trehalose is a disaccharide that can alleviate abiotic stress. In our study, different concentrations of Tre (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mM) were applied foliarly to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) seedlings during drought stress. Compared with drought stress, 20 mM trehalose treatment enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, antioxidant enzyme activity, and altered the content of osmotic substances in sugar beet seedlings.

We examined the expression of four defense-related genes, PvPAL, PvLOX, PvGST, and PvPOD, in common bean under Helicoverpa armigera infestation and wounding. We found that all genes were significantly upregulated in response to H. armigera, with distinct expression profiles compared to wounding. Marked reductions in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v/F_m, PI_ABS, ETo/RC) were determined under both H. armigera infestation and wounding. In particular, findings highlight potential roles of PvLOX and PvGST genes in common bean’s defense against herbivory and wounding.

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