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Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology

Volume 51 Number 4 2024

Ever wondered why mangoes sometimes vary in size and quantity or why fruit trees produce a lot of fruit in one season followed by little fruit the next season? This paper delves into the hidden role of starch and sugars in the fruiting process. By revealing how these carbohydrates influence flowering, fruit growth, and more, we provide insights into achieving more reliable and higher-quality fruit production in the long run.

Drought severely limits plant growth, and the application of beneficial microorganisms may help plants against drought. We studied whether and how two exogenous Streptomyces spp. benefit naked oats (Avena nuda) under drought condition, and found that these two Streptomyces spp. improved the growth and changed the physiological features of oat plants. The use of exogenous Streptomyces may be an effective way to improve the drought resistance of plants.

FP23269Functional characterisation of Dof gene family and expression analysis under abiotic stresses and melatonin-mediated tolerance in pitaya (Selenicereus undatus)

Osama Alam, Latif Ullah Khan, Adeel Khan, Saleh H. Salmen, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Fizza Mehwish, Mushtaq Ahmad, Qamar U. Zaman and Hua-Feng Wang

In the current study, we conducted a systematic genome-wide investigation of the Dof gene family in the pitaya genome and discovered a total of 26 Dof genes dispersed over 11 chromosomes. Using bioinformatics and transcriptome analysis, we identified specific genes in pitaya that can aid breeders in selecting plants capable of withstanding abiotic stresses. In addition, exogenous application of melatonin as a priming agent enhanced stress resilience in pitaya plants, making them more likely to thrive in challenging environments.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

FP23164Non-toxic orange carbon dots stimulate photosynthesis and CO2 assimilation in hydroponically cultivated green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Ivana Milenkovic 0000-0001-7957-4485, Milan Borišev, Yiqun Zhou, Sladjana Z. Spasic 0000-0003-1098-371X, Dunja Spasic, Roger M. Leblanc and Ksenija Radotic 0000-0002-9770-0788

Photosynthesis was enhanced after the application of orange carbon dots (o-CDs) onto the foliage of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Green beans showed decreased antioxidative responses after treatement with o-CDs. The light response curve indicated higher CO2 assimilation at 1 mg L−1 and 5 mg L−1 of o-CDs. Correlation analysis confirmed increased CO2 binding and assimilation at 1 mg L−1.

FP24061Flooding stress and responses to hypoxia in plants

Juan de la Cruz Jiménez 0000-0002-9985-5302, Angelika Mustroph 0000-0001-7069-7462, Ole Pedersen 0000-0002-0827-946X, Daan A. Weits 0000-0003-4423-5568 and Romy Schmidt-Schippers 0000-0002-3395-0673

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology focuses on ‘Flooding stress and responses to hypoxia in plants’. It includes perspectives, review papers and research articles demonstrating various plant responses to low-O2 conditions, flooding stress and a combination of stresses commonly found in flooded areas. These studies cover eco-physiological characterisations, root anatomical descriptions, seed microbiota evaluations, gene expression modifications, and evaluations of germplasm collections. This compilation significantly advances our understanding of flooding stress and responses to low-O2 levels in plants.

This article belongs to the Collection Flooding Stress and Responses to Hypoxia in Plants.

FP23252Physiological and biochemical assortment in different wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) under rain fed conditions

Syeda Okasha Javed, Shahid Iqbal Awan, Sania Shouket, Kotb A. Attia 0000-0002-2992-1765, Zhu Xi, Arif Ahmed Mohammed, Sher Aslam Khan, Sayeda Tanavish Javed and Yasir Majeed 0009-0000-2141-2010

Wheat, a staple cereal crop, faces various challenges when grown under diverse agro-climatic conditions. This study delves into the physio-chemical diversity of different wheat genotypes under rain-fed conditions, uncovering key traits like peduncle length, flag leaf area and more. The findings highlight highly diverse genotypes suitable for rain-fed cultivation, shedding new light on wheat diversity and potential for future breeding programs.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

Pugionium cornutum is drought tolerant with sand fixation properties, but the metabolomics analysis in P. cornutum were still unclear. In this study, the morphological index and metabolites of root were significantly changed and upregulated metabolites, such as L-arginosuccinate, L-tyrosine, p-coumarate, caffeate, ferulate, etc., may be the main reason for promoting root growth and increasing drought resistance of P. cornutum seedlings. Our results lay the foundation for further study of drought resistance mechanism in this species.

FP23102Open field hardening improves leaf physiological drought tolerance in young plants of Sindora siamensis

Warunya Paethaisong, Preeyanuch Lakhunthod, Supranee Santanoo, Natthamon Chandarak, Sujittra Onwan, Naruemol Kaewjampa and Anoma Dongsansuk 0000-0002-0414-092X

Sindora siamensis is a tree with medicinal and commerical value. However, it is sensitive to drought. Open field hardening may be an important role for seedlings grown in the nursery before transplanting to the field. Our study showed that open field hardening enabled mitigation of leaf drought injury resulting in slight wilting at leaf margin, and its leaf stayed green after rewatering. Acclimatising young trees to the outside environemnt before transplanting to the field improve plant survival and growth.

Soil moisture levels fluctuate with rainfall, and thus plants should have plasticity to adapt to the varying soil moisture levels in natural fields. Root anatomy is determined by the balance of tissue areas and chemical compositions of some specialised cells and varies among plant species and growth conditions. We identified key root anatomical features that contribute to the adaptive responses of two Phragmites species and proposed a model to adapt to drought and/or flooding stresses caused by ongoing climate change.

This article belongs to the Collection Flooding Stress and Hypoxic Responses in Plants.

Committee on Publication Ethics

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).

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Best Paper Award

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

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