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 29 April 2025

FP24335Colour shifts and photoprotection: how the common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) adapts to sun and shade

Hiromitsu Nakajima

Polytrichum commune, a common moss, exhibits a distinct colour difference (green in shade and yellow-green in sun) within the same community. This study addressed the key question why the moss shifts its colour depending on light conditions and clarified how the moss changes its pigment composition and enhances photoprotection, leading to the colour shift. These findings highlight the intricate mechanisms plants use to thrive in varying light conditions, which could inspire advancements in plant science and ecology.

Published online 29 April 2025

FP25012Phytochrome A in etiolated wild-type and albino barley seedlings: a far-red pulse induces interconversion between the two physicochemically and functionally distinct phyA types – phyA′ into phyA″

V. Sineshchekov

and L. Koppel

Light both supplies plants with energy and informs them of the environmental light conditions. Light information is obtained by an elaborate receptor system, which includes phytochromes. Phytochrome A, a major photoreceptor, was investigated, confirming its structural and functional heterogeneity and showing that the adaptation of a plant to the light environment includes redistribution of phytochomes between its native populations via their inter-transformations. This optimizes physiological processes in a plant, providing higher plants with evolutionary advantages.

Published online 22 April 2025

FP24295Light-driven modulation of plant response to water deficit. A review

K. Okon, M. Zubik-Duda and A. Nosalewicz

Agriculture productivity depends on water availability. Crop water use efficiency can be increased by deficit irrigation but the effect may be influenced by light quality and quantity. This review explores overlapping signalling pathways and important bioactive molecules in plants under these factors. Plant responses to water deficit vary with light intensity and spectrum (UV, blue, red). Optimising horticultural production through controlled light and deficit irrigation shows promise, but further research is needed to enhance resource efficiency and crop nutritional value.

Published online 17 April 2025

FP24229Seedlings of rye (Secale cereale) respond to freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and Solanum rostratum Dunal extract combined stress by increasing soluble protein and antioxidant enzyme activity

Xinyu Fan, Guozhang Bao

, Yunchao Xie, Yunqi Jiang, Cunxin Fan and Guomei Li

Freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and Solanum rostratum Dunal often have adverse effects on the stability of grassland ecosystem in north-east China. Combined stress of freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and S. rostratum extract have obvious physiological damage to rye (Secale cereale) seedlings. During periods of frequent freeze-thaw, it is important to implement timely and targeted control measures against S. rostratum to reduce the adverse effects of combined stress on grassland ecosystems.

Published online 10 April 2025

FP24277Assessing the synergistic effects of biochar, hydrogel and biofertilizer on growth and physiological traits of wheat in saline environments

Dilfuza Jabborova, Zafarjon Jabbarov, Tokhtasin Abdrakhmanov, Orzubek Fayzullaev, Baljeet Singh Saharan, Kahkashan Perveen, Syed Muhammad Zaka, Andrea Mastinu and Riyaz Sayyed

Excess amounts of salts used in agriculture lead to deterioration of crop growth and yield. This problem requires urgent, sustainable resolution. The use of soil microorganisms not only reduces salt levels but helps plants to grow under such stress. Our study revealed that applying soil microorganisms significantly improved the growth and yield of wheat under salt stress, and also enhanced soil fertility.

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

Published online 08 April 2025

FP25013Integrative physiological and transcriptome analyses elucidate the effect of shading during the grain-filling stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. ZY96-3

Tao Li, Muhammad Arif, Zhongni Wang, Guanyin Shi, Lulwah Zeyad Aljumaiah, Ling Xu, Mingjian Ren, Ruhong Xu and Luhua Li

Shading significantly reduces grain size, 1000-grain weight, starch content, and enzyme activities in the grain development of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Phenotypic and transcriptome analyses of wheat cv. ZY96-3 under normal and shaded conditions revealed shading strong effect on grain-filling rates and starch metabolism. Transcriptomic results identified altered pathways, including photosynthetic antenna proteins, carbon fixation, and starch metabolism. Key genes (e.g. PetC, Fd, LFNR1) were linked to electron transport. These findings provide insights into breeding wheat with high photosynthetic efficiency for low-light regions.

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

Published online 07 April 2025

FP24075Effects of treating wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedling roots with Azospirillum lectins to improve abiotic stress tolerance

Svetlana A. Alen’kina

and Maria A. Kupryashina

Drought is the most common unfavorable environmental factor leading to a significant decrease in plant productivity. The use of lectins makes it possible to increase the resistance of plants to water deficiency by influencing the metabolism of the plant cell. Thus, the use of lectins can provide an affordable and simple solution to increase the productivity of the crop in conditions of limited water availability.

Published online 04 April 2025

FP24338Counting modes of acyl-lipid desaturases

Alexander Y. Starikov, Roman A. Sidorov and Dmitry A. Los

Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) dehydrogenate C–C bonds in fatty acids, resulting in unsaturated C=C bonds. FADs are highly specific to acyl substrates, as well as the position and geometry of the newly added cis double bonds. Δ9-FADs were shown to be carboxyl-specific. Δ12(ω6)-FADs count three carbons toward the methyl end (x + 3) from an existing double bond in monoene precursors. Δ6- and Δ15(ω3)-FADs count from the carboxyl terminus.

Published online 03 April 2025

FP24343Do cyanogenic glucosides help sorghum manage a fluctuating nitrogen supply?

Bethany English, Alicia A. Quinn, Charles R. Warren, Roslyn M. Gleadow

and Harry Myrans

There is an emerging hypothesis that, alongside defence, cyanogenic glucosides may help plants manage nitrogen. We compared the growth and nitrogen partitioning of a cyanogenic glucoside-free mutant sorghum line to the wildtype under two treatments, in which nitrogen supply fluctuated at different rates. Unexpectedly, cyanogenic glucosides did not confer a growth advantage in sorghum but there was evidence of rapid recycling in young plants during nitrogen deficiency, demonstrating the dual purpose of dhurrin in defence and nitrogen storage.

FP24343 Abstract | FP24343 Full Text | FP24343PDF (928 KB) | FP24343Supplementary Material (633 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 03 April 2025

FP25017Regulation of alternative splicing in Catharanthus roseus in response to methyl jasmonate modulation during development and stress resilience

Aala A. Abulfaraj

and Abeer Al-Andal

This study investigated the impact of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on alternative splicing in Catharanthus roseus using RNA-Seq. We identified differentially expressed alternatively spliced genes and co-expressed splicing factors (SFs) in response to MeJA treatment. Findings suggest that MeJA activates SFs, leading to specific mRNA isoforms that enhance the plant’s ability to respond to environmental and developmental signals. This work provides insights into the complex regulatory mechanisms underlying adaptive responses of C. roseus.

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

FP25017 Abstract | FP25017 Full Text | FP25017PDF (1.3 MB) | FP25017Supplementary Material (9.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 31 March 2025

FP24218Challenges to optimal macadamia (Macadamia spp.) kernel quality in a changing climate

Suzy Y. Rogiers

, Kevin P. Quinlan and Jeremy D. Bright

The macadamia (Macadamia spp.) is an Australian native, and its nuts are a delicious source of nutrition with many health benefits. Extreme weather over the last decade has hampered the industry through yield losses and inferior quality kernels. Changes in environmentally sustainable orchard management practices are proposed to improve tree resilience and the production of first grade kernels.

FP24218 Abstract | FP24218 Full Text | FP24218PDF (1.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 27 March 2025

FP24130Effects of cold and methyl jasmonate on the expression of miRNAs and target genes in response to vernalisation in two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.)

Nooshin Ashoori, Reza Fotovat and Ehsan MohseniFard

Physiological and biochemical changes in wheat during cold acclimation and vernalisation are pivotal for winter survival. We examined methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) and cold treatment effects on miRNA regulation and target genes in Baz spring wheat and Norstar winter wheat. MeJA’s impact on vernalisation and acclimation varied between cultivars, with Norstar experiencing decreased traits and Baz showing minimal effects. Results underscored the intricate interplay between genotypes, miRNAs and target genes under different vernalisation treatments, elucidating the response of wheat to MeJA and cold treatments.

Published online 27 March 2025

FP25010The role of nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) transcription factor in plant growth and development

Jiayi Hong, Xiaofeng Feng, Yongping Cai, Muhammad Aamir Manzoor

and Yunpeng Cao

NF-Y is a key transcription factor found in plants, animals, and fungi, with higher plants having more NF-Y subunits. It consists of three parts (NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC) that work together to regulate gene activity by binding to DNA or interacting with other proteins. NF-Y plays a vital role in plant growth and development. Understanding its structure and function can help improve crops and support sustainable agriculture.

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

Published online 13 March 2025

FP24294NtDHS regulates leaf senescence by modulating gene translation in Nicotiana tabacum

Junping Gao, Ying Wang, Xinxi He, Long Chen, Shuaibin Wang, Xinyao Zhang, Sirui Zhu, Xiaoxu Li, Xiaonian Yang, Wenxuan Pu and Yuanyuan Li

Leaf senescence and plant growth are crucial for crop health and yield. This study shows that the NtDHS–NteIF5A complex in Nicotiana tabacum regulates these processes by controlling the translation of genes involved in chlorophyll metabolism and cell growth. The discovery of this translational regulation provides new insights into plant biology, offering potential strategies for improving crop performance by manipulating the balance between growth and aging in plants.

Published online 27 February 2025

FP24299Drought resistance or herbivory defense strategy? Oxalate druses function in a forage xeric species

D. F. Jaume

, Y. I. Pelliza, A. Nanni and M. Tadey

Our study determined that druse synthesis in a xerophytic plant species constitutes an adaptation to drought, not to herbivory. Under drought stress conditions, higher druse abundance correlated with increased growth rates. In contrast, the presence of herbivory did not induce druse synthesis, and its presence influenced the response to drought stress. Our findings highlight the role of druses in the adaptive response to drought and reveal how interactions with other common stressors, such as herbivory, can modify this response.

More content

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.

FP25030, Accepted 28 April 2025

Inhibitors of lysine biosynthesis enzymes as potential new herbicides

Emily Mackie, Mirrin McKay, Andrew Barrow and Tatiana Soares da Costa

FP25030Abstract

FP25064, Accepted 23 April 2025

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

Ankit Yadav, Amar Sakure, Sushil Kumar

, Akarsh Parihar, Dimple Gor, Vidyut Balar and Pratibha .

FP25064Abstract

FP24355, Accepted 23 April 2025

Past trauma, better future: How stress memory shapes plant adaptation to drought

Md. Mezanur Rahman

, Sanjida Keya, Mallesham Bulle, S.M. Ahsan, Md. Abiar Rahman, Md. Shyduzzaman Roni, Md. Mahmud Al Noor and Mehedi Hasan

FP24355Abstract

FP24171, Accepted 22 April 2025

Exogenous melatonin alleviates waterlogging stress and maintains the quality by regulating photosynthesis and antioxidant and active substances biosynthesis in Atractylodes lancea (Tunb.) DC

Rong Tian, A qin Zhang, Wei Gu

, Min Tang, Sheng Wang, Zeng cai Yang and Yi fu Gan

FP24171Abstract

FP24204, Accepted 19 April 2025

Physiological and biochemical responses of cotton seedlings to NaCl stress and analysis of salt tolerance thresholds

Lupeng Sun, xin Cai, Dianjun Chen, Yang Cai and fenghua Zhang

FP24204Abstract

FP24308, Accepted 16 April 2025

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

Boris Ivanov

, Marina Kozuleva, Natalia Rudenko, Lyudmila Ignatova, Elena Nadeeva, Ilya Naydov, Daria Vetoshkina, Daria Vilyanen and Maria Borisova-Mubarakshina

FP24308Abstract

FP24337, Accepted 15 April 2025

A brief overview of cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassica napus L.

Zunaira Farooq, Ahmad Ali

, Hongjie Wang, Muhammad Mola Bakhsh, Shipeng Li, Ying Liu, Wu Shou, Aisha Almakas, Shouping Yang and Yi Bin

FP24337Abstract

FP24201, Accepted 15 April 2025

Same with less: A method to reduce destructive sampling to estimate nitrogen use efficiency components using allometric relationships in spring wheat

Lorena Guardia-Velarde

, Jonathan Edward Cope

, Holger Metzler, Anna Westerbergh and Martin Weih

FP24201Abstract

Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technology: shaping the future of photosynthetic microorganisms for biofuel production

Functional Plant Biology 52 (2)

Samreen Arshad, Muhammad Luqman Qadir, Nazim Hussain, Qurban Ali , Shiming Han, Daoud Ali
The genetic control of herkogamy

Functional Plant Biology 51 (5)

Jacques-Joseph Boucher, Hilary S. Ireland, Ruiling Wang, Karine M. David, Robert J. Schaffer
Cerium oxide nanoparticles promoted lateral root formation in Arabidopsis by modulating reactive oxygen species and Ca²⁺ level

Functional Plant Biology 51 (10)

Guangjing Li, Quanlong Gao, Ashadu Nyande, Zihao Dong, Ehtisham Hassan Khan, Yuqian Han, Honghong Wu
Enhancing the productivity and resilience of rice (Oryza sativa) under environmental stress conditions using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology

Functional Plant Biology 52 (1)

Aamir Riaz , Muhammad Uzair , Ali Raza, Safeena Inam, Rashid Iqbal, Saima Jameel, Bushra Bibi, Muhammad Ramzan Khan
Challenges to optimal macadamia (Macadamia spp.) kernel quality in a changing climate

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Suzy Y. Rogiers , Kevin P. Quinlan, Jeremy D. Bright
Starch and sucrose metabolism plays an important role in the stem development in Medicago sativa

Functional Plant Biology 51 (6)

Jierui Wu , Xiaoyu Wang , Lin Bian , Zhenyi Li , Xiaohong Jiang , Fengling Shi , Fang Tang , Zhiqiang Zhang
Cyclic electron flow and Photosystem II-less photosynthesis

Functional Plant Biology 51 (11)

Maria Ermakova , Duncan Fitzpatrick, Anthony W. D. Larkum
Do cyanogenic glucosides help sorghum manage a fluctuating nitrogen supply?

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Bethany English, Alicia A. Quinn, Charles R. Warren, Roslyn M. Gleadow , Harry Myrans
Recent advances in genome editing strategies for balancing growth and defence in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

Functional Plant Biology 51 (5)

Maira Tanveer , Zain Ul Abidin, Hussam F. Najeeb Alawadi, Ahmad Naeem Shahzad, Athar Mahmood , Bilal Ahmad Khan, Sameer Qari, Hesham Farouk Oraby
Genome editing for improvement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in cereals

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Safeena Inam, Amna Muhammad, Samra Irum, Nazia Rehman, Aamir Riaz , Muhammad Uzair , Muhammad Ramzan Khan
Regulation of alternative splicing in Catharanthus roseus in response to methyl jasmonate modulation during development and stress resilience

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Aala A. Abulfaraj , Abeer Al-Andal
Overexpression of HvVDE gene improved light protection in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

Functional Plant Biology 51 (11)

Xiaojie Qu , Deyu Che, Fangting Qin, Guang Huang, Hongzhang Liu
Exogenous zinc application mitigates negative effects of salinity on barley (Hordeum vulgare) growth by improving root ionic homeostasis

Functional Plant Biology 51 (6)

Waleed Amjad Khan, Beth Penrose, Ping Yun, Meixue Zhou , Sergey Shabala
Effects of extra potassium supply and rootstocks indicate links between water, solutes and energy in Shiraz grapevines (Vitis vinifera) pericarps

Functional Plant Biology 51 (7)

Yin Liu , Stephen Tyerman , Leigh Schmidtke , Suzy Rogiers
Expression of heterosis in photosynthetic traits in F1 generation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) hybrids and relationship with yield traits

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Renjie Zhao, Yueqiao Li, Chen Xu, Zhian Zhang , Ziyang Zhou, Yihan Zhou, Zexin Qi
Overexpression of forage millet (Setaria italica) SiER genes enhances drought resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Hanjing Dai, Xiaoyi Huang, Yingrun Wang, Shoujing Zhu, Jieqin Li, Zhaoshi Xu, Jiacheng Zheng
Saltbush seedlings (Atriplex spp.) shed border-like cells from closed-type root apical meristems

Functional Plant Biology 51 (10)

Alison R. Gill , Rachel A. Burton
No-tillage enhances soil water storage, grain yield and water use efficiency in dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) cropping systems: a global meta-analysis

Functional Plant Biology 51 (5)

Muhammad Adil , Siqi Lu, Zijie Yao, Cheng Zhang, Heli Lu, Safdar Bashir, Mansoor Maitah, Isma Gul, Sehar Razzaq, Lin Qiu
Short-term and long-term fluoride stress induce differential molecular and transcriptional regulation and variable ranges of fluoride tolerance in two indica rice (Oryza sativa) varieties

Functional Plant Biology 52 (1)

Ankur Singh, Aditya Banerjee, Aryadeep Roychoudhury
Glycoside hydrolases reveals their differential role in response to drought and salt stress in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Aiana, Hanny Chauhan, Kashmir Singh

Collections

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

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

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: 10 Apr 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.

Last Updated: 08 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

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