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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.

Published online 21 November 2024

FP23281High-throughput phenotyping of soybean (Glycine max) transpiration response curves to rising atmospheric drying in a mapping population

Daniel Monnens, José R. López, Erik McCoy, Bishal G. Tamang, Aaron J. Lorenz and Walid Sadok 0000-0001-9637-2412
 

Rising atmospheric drying is causing losses in crop productivity worldwide, by triggering excessive plant water losses. Water-saving varieties are effective in limiting yield losses under atmospheric drying, but the genetic regions controlling this behavior are unknown. We screened hundreds of soybean (Glycine max) plants for their water losses in response to atmospheric drying and identified genetic regions controlling their responses. These findings open the way to breed for climate-smart, water-saving legumes that are better-yielding under current and future drought conditions.

Published online 11 November 2024

FP24180Overexpression of HvVDE gene improved light protection in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

Xiaojie Qu 0009-0004-5100-2054, Deyu Che, Fangting Qin, Guang Huang and Hongzhang Liu
 

Hosta ventricosa is commonly found in gardens and is favored by many. Yet, extended exposure to intense light can lead to the leaves wilting and turning yellow, diminishing their decorative appeal. We isolated and characterized a particular gene (violaxanthin de-epoxidase) in H. ventricosa plants and found that the genetically modified tobacco plantlets displayed enhanced tolerance to strong light. This outcome offers valuable insights for the potential creation of new Hosta plant varieties that can better withstand intense light conditions.

Published online 11 November 2024

FP24202Exogenous nitric oxide extends longevity in cut Lilium tigrinum flowers by orchestrating biochemical and molecular aspects

Moonisah Aftab, Haris Yousuf Lone, Aijaz A. Wani, Mohamad Arif Zargar and Inayatullah Tahir 0009-0002-8236-6147
 

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be a key regulator of flower senescence, affecting various physiological and biochemical processes. Research has indicated that NO can prolong the vase life and postpone senescence in cut flowers by adjusting senescence-related genes and interacting with other molecules and pathways. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nitric oxide in influencing various biochemical, physiological, and molecular factors; with the ultimate goal of delaying tepal senescence in isolated flowers of Lilium tigrinum.

Published online 07 November 2024

FP24144Overexpression of AtNHX1 increases leaf potassium content by improving enrichment capacity in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) roots

Yong Liu, Qian Hou, Kunle Dong, Yi Chen, Zhihong Wang, Shengdong Xie, Shengjiang Wu, Xiaoquan Zhang, Shizhou Yu and Zhixiao Yang 0000-0003-0353-094X
 

NHX1 is closely related to K uptake and accumulation in plants. AtNHX1-overexpressing tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) exhibited significantly higher leaf K content than the wild-type tobacco variety K326. The AtNHX1-overexpressing tobacco has significantly improved root morphology and physiology compared to the wild-type variety K326. AtNHX1-overexpressing tobacco showed higher Vmax levels in roots than the wild-type variety K326. Overexpression of AtNHX1 is able to increase leaf potassium content by boosting the ability of enriching potassium in tobacco roots.

Published online 29 October 2024

FP24150Linking structure to function: the connection between mesophyll structure and intrinsic water use efficiency

Jeroen D. M. Schreel 0000-0002-6152-1307, Guillaume Théroux-Rancourt and Adam B. Roddy
 

Leaf mesophyll cells are often approximated by capsules and spheres to discuss structure-function relationships. These assumptions allow an easy assessments based on widely available 2D datasets of foliar tissue. However, this is a rough approximation of often irregularly shaped spongy mesophyll cells. We suggest to use more rare 3D assessments to provide corrections and functions to be used in 2D assessments, rather than scaling 2D analysis to 3D structures based on the assumption of ideal shapes.

Published online 29 October 2024

FP24185Cyclic electron flow and Photosystem II-less photosynthesis

Maria Ermakova 0000-0001-8466-4186, Duncan Fitzpatrick and Anthony W. D. Larkum
 

Oxygenic photosynthesis typically relies on two photo-driven complexes, Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI). However, PSI can operate independently to boost energy production and amplify nitrogen fixation and CO2 capture in specialised cells. In this review, we propose that ‘PSII-less photosynthesis’ allows photosynthetic organisms to better balance energy needs and adapt to changing environments. We explore the potential of harnessing this process to improve crop productivity and stress resilience.

The cultivation of high-quality wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) often relies on specific growth stresses, and ‘No apical meristem; Arabidopsis transcription activation factor; Cup-shape cotyledon’ (NAC), as plant-specific transcription factors, playing a key role in adapting to stresses. This study identified these factors influencing the grape’s sugar and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways. Specifically, we discovered that the VvNAC26 significantly impacts these pathways, coordinating with VvSnRK1.2, offering new insights into grapevine development and its adaptation to environmental challenges.

Published online 17 October 2024

FP24132How the vertical gradient of light in the understorey and water seasonality affect leaf traits of Vanilla phaeantha (Orchidaceae), a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) hemiephyte

Aldineia Buss, Wesley Costa Silva, Vladimir Eliodoro Costa 0000-0003-3889-7514 and Ana Silvia Franco Pinheiro Moreira 0000-0001-5090-5527
 

Surviving in conditions of water fluctuation and light heterogeneity by plants requires to be plastic. We showed that the hemiepiphyte Vanilla phaeantha adjusts leaf traits and their metabolism for atmospheric CO2 capture in function of the vertical gradient of the understorey (that has different light availability and air humidity), and according to water seasonality. The morphological traits mainly varied according to the understorey position, while physiological ones were more sensitive to seasonal variations.

Published online 16 October 2024

FP23327Mitigation strategy of saline stress in Fragaria vesca using natural and synthetic brassinosteroids as biostimulants

Ramiro N. Furio 0000-0003-0308-2147, Ana C. Fernández, Patricia L. Albornoz, Melisa Evangelina Yonny, María Luisa Toscano Adamo, Ana I. Ruiz, Mónica Azucena Nazareno, Yamilet Coll, Juan C. Díaz-Ricci and Sergio M. Salazar
 

Climate change subjects crops to increasingly unfavourable environmental situations, such as soil salinity, which is very harmful to crops. The results of our work provide valuable information that could be useful for solve this problem. It was possible to verify the beneficial effect of brassinosteroids in strawberry (Fragaria vesca) plants exposed to saline stress, so we propose the use of these compounds as an environmentally safe crop management strategy to overcome situations of salinity that seriously reduce crop health and yields.

Published online 15 October 2024

FP23143Functional and transcriptional regulation of the anthocyanidin acyl modifier gene Gs5AT of Gentiana sino-ornata

Han Meng, Siqi Chen, Yanmei Wu and Xuehua Jin 0000-0003-1519-8470
 

The Chinese gentian, Gentiana sino-ornata, is a commercially important flower that produces brilliant blue blossoms. We identified the responsible gene, Gs5AT, and discovered that another gene, GsbHLH7, can regulate the expression of the first gene. This study provides a further basis for molecular breeding of blue flowers.

Published online 14 October 2024

FP24205Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhances rye (Secale cereale) seedling resistance to combined freeze-thaw and cadmium stress

Huixin Wang, Guozhang Bao 0000-0003-0329-8001, Lingzhi Tian, Simeng Chen, Yanan Xu, Guomei Li and Hongwei Zhao
 

In high-altitude or cold regions of northern China, plants may simultaneously face two environmental stresses: (1) heavy metal cadmium; and (2) freeze-thaw. The study showed that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) significantly improved the growth of rye (Secale cereale) seedlings under these stresses, enhancing their resistance. This finding provides an innovative bioregulation strategy for plant response to environmental stressors, highlighting the potential application value of GABA as a natural plant growth regulator.

Published online 10 October 2024

FP24059Alteration in certain growth, biochemical, and anatomical indices of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in response to the foliar application of auxin under water deficit

Yaser Khandani 0000-0003-0373-2381, Hassan Sarikhani, Mansour Gholami, Abdolkarim Chehregani Rad and Siamak Shirani Bidabadi
 

The world population is increasing and food producers need to increase production. Drought stress is the main obstacle to producing more food, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas, where it is also aggravated by climate change. The results of our study indicate that spraying grapevines with cost-effective supplemental material is very effective in decreasing the adverse impacts of drought.

Published online 04 October 2024

FP24196Cerium oxide nanoparticles promoted lateral root formation in Arabidopsis by modulating reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ level

Guangjing Li, Quanlong Gao, Ashadu Nyande, Zihao Dong, Ehtisham Hassan Khan, Yuqian Han and Honghong Wu 0000-0001-6629-0280
 

In this study, we showed that cerium oxide nanoparticles (PNC) promoted lateral root formation in Arabidopsis thaliana by modulating reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ distribution in both primary and lateral roots. Results indicated that applying PNC to plants have potential to improve the development of root system and thus overall plant growth performance. Adopting nanobiotechnology to stimulate plant root system may be beneficial to sustainable agriculture.

Published online 04 October 2024

FP24060Differential modulation of photosystem II photochemical efficiency in six C4 xero-halophytes

Ahmad Zia 0000-0002-9263-4873, Salman Gulzar and Gerald E. Edwards
 

Photochemical adaptations of six C4 xero-halophytes reveal diverse strategies to endure salt and water fluctuations in native habitats. Variations in photochemistry, photoprotection, and photoinhibition indicate modulation of PSII photochemical efficiency. Different xero-halophytes exhibit distinct mechanisms for maintaining photochemical efficiency through dynamic control of plastoquinone pool redox states, excess energy dissipation, and shutdown mechanisms in response to environmental challenges.

Published online 03 October 2024

FP24149Foliar-applied silicon and zinc nanoparticles improve plant growth, biochemical attributes, and essential oil profile of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) under different irrigation regimes

Hossein Mosaedi, Hamid Mozafari 0000-0003-1085-8791, Behzad Sani, Abdollah Ghasemi Pirbalouti and Faezeh Rajabzadeh
 

This study investigated the physiological and biochemical effects of foliar application of Si and Zn nanoparticles (NPs) on fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) plants under different irrigation levels. Si NPs and Zn NPs improved chlorophyll and water content of plants, and superoxide dismutase activity under drought stress, but essential oil content generally decreased by severe drought (50% field capacity). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were sensitive to drought, making them potential markers for monitoring fennel under drought stress.

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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.

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Collections

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

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

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: 02 Sep 2024

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

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

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

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