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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 5h

🌱💧 RESEARCH 💧🌱 Moderate water deficit amplifies molecular responses to sulfur deficiency in Pisum sativum, revealing synergistic responses at multiple layers of regulation under this stress combination - Bonnot et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1 (shortened, full legend in paper): Influence of water deficit (WD), sulfur deficiency (S–), and WD/S– on pea plant phenotypic variables. (A) Experimental design. Days 0 and 9 correspond to the beginning and end of WD, respectively. For the conditions WD and WD/S–, day 12 therefore corresponds to 3 d of rewatering for plant recovery. (B) Heatmap representing the effects of stresses on phenotypic variables, at day 9 and day 12. Variables with similar responses to stress are grouped using a hierarchical clustering method. Data are the log2 ratio (stress condition versus control) calculated from means of n=8 biological replicates (eight individual plants per condition). In (B) asterisks indicate significant differences between stress and control conditions (*P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001). (C) Profiles of selected phenotypic variables and of osmotic potential in leaves.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

🌱⚗️ REVIEW ⚗️🌱 Sulfur acts as a central hub in redox homeostasis and metabolism coordinated with phosphorus, nitrogen, and iron signaling networks to enhance multi-nutrient use efficiency and plant resilience - Haque et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1 (shortened, full legend in paper): Integration of sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and iron (Fe) signaling pathways into coordinated regulatory networks underlying nutrient-dependent phenotypes. The transcription factor PHR1/PHLs (PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1/PHR1-LIKE proteins) functions as a central regulator coordinating phosphorus (P) homeostasis with nitrogen (N), iron (Fe), and sulfur (S) signaling pathways. Under P deficiency, PHR1/PHLs induce the expression of SPX domain-containing proteins (SYG1/Pho81/XPR1 domain proteins), microRNAs (miRs) and nutrient transporters to maintain nutrient balance. In the P signaling module, PHR1/PHLs positively regulate miR399 and miR827.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

🌸🧬 RESEARCH 🧬🌸 Arabidopsis flowers accumulate the sulfur by-product methylthioadenosine when methionine salvage is reduced, lowering methylation capacity and impairing fertility. Short-term spermidine treatment partly restores growth- Tremblay et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2 (shortened, full legend in paper): Partial restoration of mtn1-1mtn2-1 phenotypes across developmental milestones. (A) Representative confocal images of 7-day-old Col-0 (WT), mtn1-1mtn2-1, and G3 roots obtained using the SR2200 cell wall stain, with the red asterisk indicating the end of the meristematic zone measuring from isodiametric cells of the QC to the first cell that doubles in length in the cortex cell layer. Scale bar=100 µm. (B) The length of the meristematic zone was measured, indicated by the red asterisk in (A). Statistical testing was performed using two-way Kruskal–Wallis tests with Dunn’s post-hoc test. Groups not sharing letters are significantly different (P<0.05; n=15). (C) After the WT, mtn1-1mtn2-1, and G3 plants reached ∼25 cm in height, the first 10 internodes between siliques were measured on the primary inflorescence branch for both Spd-treated and untreated plants and summarized in a PCA (n=15).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🌾🌱 RESEARCH 🌱🌾 Under low-sulfur conditions in both upland and lowland rice, EIL4-mediated gene regulation plays a key role, with SULTR1;1 contributing to increased root elongation - Maruyama et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 8.Growth of rice plants overexpressing SULTR1;1 in low-sulfur (LS) soil. Overexpression lines (Stox1 and Stox2) and their transgenic controls (T-cont) were grown under LS and control soil conditions (A). SULTR1;1 expression levels (B), sulfur concentrations in shoots (C) and roots (D), shoot DW (E), root DW (F), and root length (G) are shown as bar graphs. Data represent means ±SD (n=4 biological replicates; Tukey’s HSD, P<0.05 and P<0.01).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Andre Kuhn Petra Marhava Stéphanie Robert Rahul Puthan Valappil Lucia Strader @aabiologists.bsky.social SEBiology Interested in submitting a manuscript? Contact JXB 👉 bit.ly/JXBissues #PlantScience 🧪 #JXBspecialissues

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Check out some of the expected articles so far 📝 Dior Kelley Lars Østergaard Bas Bargmann Enric Bertran Garcia de Olalla Teva Vernoux KleineVehnLab (and the list continues! 👇) #PlantScience 🧪 #JXBspecialissues

Rear side of a postcard to advertise an upcoming special issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany titled 'The Many Faces of Auxin: From Molecular Mechanisms to Morphogenesis'. The list of expected review papers is given, along with an invitation to submit and the deadline of November 30 2026.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🌱 "The Many Faces of Auxin: From Molecular Mechanisms to Morphogenesis" is now open! 🌱 This special issue is linked to #Auxin2026 and edited by Dior Kelley, Lars Østergaard & Andrea Gallavotti 📝 📅 Deadline 30 Nov 2026 Got a manuscript? Contact the JXB office: bit.ly/JXBissues #PlantScience 🧪

Front cover of a postcard to advertise an upcoming special issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany titled 'The Many Faces of Auxin: From Molecular Mechanisms to Morphogenesis'. The editors are Dior Kelley, Lars Østergaard & Andrea Gallavotti. The image shows icons such as Arabidopsis, an auxin molecule, a ship, a microscope etc in the style of blue and white Portuguese tiles. Image by Anna Wójcik, University of Silesia, Poland.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🌿🔬 REVIEW 🔬🌿 The physiological roles of cysteine-dependent processes and enzymes in photosynthetic organisms are reviewed, with emphasis on cysteine desulfhydrases - Moseler et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 4.DES1 is a primary player in the regulation of stomatal movement. ABA promotes the (auto) persulfidation of Cys44 and Cys250 of DES1 (1). Using L-cysteine as substrate, DES1 catalyzes the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) (2) that induces the persulfidation of SnRK2.6 (Cys131 and 137), RBOHD (Cys825 and 890) and ABI4 (Cys250) (3). As persulfidated form, ABI4 favors the expression of DES1 that is positively regulated by ABA (4). In addition to DES1, cysteine is also the substrate of the cysteine desulfurase ABA3 that allows molybdenum cofactor insertion into aldehyde oxidases required for ABA synthesis (5).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🍇 RESEARCH 🍇 Sulfur deficiency in grapevines induces nitrogen overflow and reduces water use efficiency. While simultaneous low nitrogen alleviates this deficiency, additive effects occur, highlighting the critical sulfur–nitrogen balance - Lehr et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Graphical Abstract (shortened, full abstract in paper):
Sulfur is an essential macronutrient, yet its role in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) physiology is poorly understood. Following reduced atmospheric sulfur deposition, sulfur fertilization is increasingly required to prevent deficiencies, which are difficult to diagnose before they impair grapevine—and subsequent wine—quality. Therefore, the metabolic responses of grapevines to isolated and combined sulfur and nitrogen deficiencies were investigated. Using a non-targeted metabolomics and ionomics approach under controlled sulfur and nitrogen supplies, it was shown that isolated sulfur deficiency led to a massive accumulation of nitrogen-rich amino acids and activation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid shunt.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🌿🧬 REVIEW 🧬🌿 Sun et al. explore emerging roles of the plant Cysteine Synthase Complex in sensing environmental signals and coordinating stress responses through sulfur-containing metabolites and ABA biosynthesis. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3 (shortened, full legend in paper): Evolutionary relationship of OAS-TL-related proteins across alga and land plants. Polygenetic tree of OAS-TL-related proteins in alga and land plants. The amino acid sequences of representative OAS-TL proteins were aligned by MUSCLE method and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method in the MEGA12 software. The tree was further modified in tvBOT online tool (Xie et al., 2023). OAS-TL proteins from the following species are included in the analysis: Charophyceae alga stonewort, two bryophytes (moss and liverwort), four monocotyledons (rice, maize, sorghum and foxtail millet) and four dicotyledons (Arabidopsis, soybean, tomato and grapevine). Clades (CysA, CysB, CysC, CS26, monocot-CysD and dicot-CysD) are color-coded to indicate the evolutionary groupings of the OAS-TL proteins.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Check out some of expected articles so far 📝 Luciano Freschi #PlantScience 🧪 #JXBspecialissues SEBiology

Rear side of a postcard to advertise an upcoming special issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany titled 'Reactive Species in Plants'. The list of expected review and research papers is given, along with an invitation to submit and the deadline of October 31 2026.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🚨 SPECIAL ISSUE - CLOSING SOON 🚨 🔬 Reactive Species in Plants 📝 Edited by Francisco J. Corpas, José M. Palma, Rosa Rivero & Ann Cuypers 📅 Closing date: 31 October 📇 Got a suitable manuscript? Contact the JXB office: bit.ly/JXBissues #PlantScience 🧪 #JXBspecialissues

Front cover of a postcard to advertise an upcoming special issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany titled 'Reactive Species in Plants'. The editors are Francisco J. Corpas, José M. Palma, Rosa Rivero & Ann Cuypers. The image shows involvement of ROS, RNS, and other signaling and bioactive molecules in regulating plant physiological processes and responses to adverse environmental conditions. Image by Francisco J. Corpas & José M. Palma.

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

🌱 We are hiring! 🌱 Join our team as an Assistant Editor (12-month FTC) where you will support peer review, journal meetings, content promotion and editorial development. 📅 Apply by 23 October 2026 Please share with your network! @sebiology.bsky.social @plantpostdocs.bsky.social #PlantScience 🧪

A sketch of a person reclined in a chair editing a paper.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🌱🔬 REVIEW 🔬🌱 This review focuses on two families of genes described as sulfur deficiency markers, SDI and LSU, and describes different strategies plant utilize to cope with sulfur shortage - Sirko et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2.LSU proteins as regulatory hubs of stress and metabolism in plants. LSU protein partners from various metabolic pathways are shown. Abbreviations: ABA, abscisic acid; ACO2, ACC Oxidase; APR, APS Reductase; ATPS, ATP Sulfurylase; CAT, catalase; FSD2, Fe Superoxide Dismutase 2; GAPC1, Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase C Subunit; JA, jasmonic acid; JAZ, Jasmonate-Zim Domain; LSU, Response to Low Sulfur; NBR1, Neighbor of BRCA1 gene 1; NPR4, Nonexpresser of PR Genes 4; PYL9, Pyrabactin Resistance 1-Like 9; RAF2/SDIRIP1, Rubisco Assembly Factor 2, also known as SDIR1-Interacting Protein 1; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SA, salicylic acid; SiR, Sulfite Reductase.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

🛡️ REVIEW 🛡️ This review underscores the key role of H2S in enhancing plant resilience against abiotic stress prevalent in the current climate change scenario. Endogenous sources of H2S and its mechanisms of action are also discussed- Aroca et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3.Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling pathways in plants. The diagram highlights three initially proposed mechanisms by which H2S mediates its biological effects: (i) protein persulfidation, (ii) metal binding interactions involving zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), and (iii) reducing oxidative stress by targeting reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, including superoxide radical (O2•⁻), peroxide ion (O22⁻), hydroxyl radical (•OH), and nitric oxide (NO). Created in BioRender. Romero, L. (2026) https://BioRender.com/mehykp9.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

📣 New Special Issue 📣 📘 Issue 18 📘 🔬 Sulfur Signaling: From Molecules to Physiological Responses 🔬 ✍️ Guest edited by Stanislav Kopriva, Hideki Takahashi & Markus Wirtz Issue 🔗 academic.oup.com/jxb... Editorial 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #JXBspecialissues #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1.Schematic overview of primary and secondary sulfur metabolism, highlighting key metabolites that act as either signals (blue circles) or defense metabolites (gray diamonds) upon environmental stimuli (dark gray circles) or stresses (red boxes). Sulfur metabolism-derived signals can either control specific response pathways (yellow boxes) or indicate environmental stress, which is regulated by those signals. Invited reviews and articles addressing the diverse interactions between the environment and the sulfur metabolism are indicated by numbers in gray circles. 1, Maruyama et al. (2026); 2, Aroca et al. (2026); 3, Tremblay et al. (2026); 4, Sirko et al. (2026); 5, Payet et al. (2026); 6, Haque et al. (2026); 7, Lehr et al. (2026); 8, Amir et al. (2026); 9, Wang and Zhao, 2026, 10, Elkatmis et al. (2026); 11, Sun et al. (2026); 12, Wajn et al. (2026); 13, Khin et al. (2026); 14, Moseler et al. (2026a); 15, Garcia-Godos et al. (2026); 16, Furbank et al. (2026); 17, Moseler et al.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

We’re delighted to be in Albuferia, Portugal this week for #Auxin2026! The JXB special issue affiliated with the meeting, "The Many Faces of Auxin: From Molecular Mechanisms to Morphogenesis" is open now 📝 🔗 academic.oup.com/jxb... #PlantScience 🧪 @aabiologists.bsky.social

Conference organiser Dior Kelley welcoming the Auxin 2026 attendees, with the JXB special issue information on the projector screen.

Conference organiser Dior Kelley welcoming the Auxin 2026 attendees, with the information on the benefits of submitting to JXB on the projector screen.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🌿💧 RESEARCH 💧🌿 Increased drought tolerance in representative Cerrado species is achieved through plastic improvements in the control of water loss, rather than changes in water storage capacity and xylem vulnerability to embolism - Aun et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3.Patterns of trait adjustment associated with drought responses. Within-species variation in the mean phenotypic plasticity index (PI) of key determinants of drought-induced mortality, grouped into three categories: water loss (WL), water storage (WS), and drought tolerance (DT). The mean PI for each category was obtained by averaging the individual PI values of all traits within that category (see the Materials and methods). The figure also shows the mean PI for each category across the studied Cerrado species (inset plot). Differences among categories, both within (main plot) and across species (inset plot), were tested using one-way ANOVA, followed by a post-hoc Tukey test (P≤0.05).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

🌳💧 RESEARCH 💧🌳 BpMAPK6 phosphorylates BpDRE1B to up-regulate BpGSTU8, significantly enhancing birch drought tolerance by scavenging reactive oxygen species - Gao et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 7.A working model for BpMAPK6 phosphorylating BpDRE1B in drought tolerance. Under drought stress, the transcription of BpDRE1B is induced, and BpMAPK6 interacts with and phosphorylates BpDRE1B to enhance the transcription of BpGSTU8, thereby promoting the ASA–GSH cycle, and enhances the tolerance of birch to drought stress by scavenging ROS.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌼🌡️ RESEARCH 🌡️🌼 Heat stress radically alters the pollen lipid profile and microRNA network in rapeseed and the identification of crucial molecular signatures provides promising markers for improving crop heat tolerance - D’Agostino et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

$Fig. 2 (shortened, full legend in paper): MiRNome analysis. (A) Hierarchically clustered heatmap depicting miRNA expression profiles between control (Ctrl) and heat stress (HS) treatments for germinated pollen (GP), the pollensome (PS) fraction, the extracellular vesicle-free (EVF) fraction, and hydrated pollen (HP). Differential expression is indicated according to the colour scale indicated in the key based on the z-score values measured for each miRNA in all samples (P-value<0.05). The clustering of control and heat-stressed groups is illustrated at the top of the figure. (B) UpSet plot illustrating the intersections of miRNA sets across the different samples. Each row below the graph represents a sample and the bars on the right indicate the total number of miRNAs detected per sample. Specific set intersections are indicated by the connected dots. The graph represents the number of miRNAs unique to each intersection, with the exact counts indicated.$

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌱🦠 RESEARCH 🦠🌱 This investigation reveals that plant viral proteins (e.g. the PMMoV 126 kDa protein) hijack amino acid metabolism mediated by L-asparaginase, thereby reversing plant immunity toward favoring viral infection - He et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2 (shortened, full legend in paper): LA negatively regulates host antiviral defense. (A) Phenotypes of PMMoV-infected N. benthamiana plants silenced for NbLA-1/2 (TRV–NbLA-1/2; a 600 bp fragment generated by fusing 300 bp segments from NbLA-1 and NbLA-2). Symptoms were recorded 3 days post-inoculation (dpi). (B) Immunoblot analysis of PMMoV CP protein levels from (A); Ponceau S staining served as the loading control. Quantification was normalized relative to the TRV–GUS control, with its average value set to 1. (C) Phenotypes of PMMoV-infected Capsicum annuum plants silenced for CaLA-1/2 (TRV–CaLA-1/2). Symptoms were observed 5 dpi. (D) Immunoblot analysis of PMMoV CP protein levels from (C) with Ponceau S loading control. (E) Phenotypes of PMMoV-infected WT, OE–NbLA-1, and OE–NbLA-2 N. benthamiana plants at 3 dpi. (F, G) Immunoblot analysis of PMMoV CP levels in plants from (E). Ponceau S staining was used as a loading control; the average value for the WT was set to 1.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🌾🛡️ RESEARCH 🛡️🌾 TaR3H interacts with Pm21CC, and the interaction is enhanced upon pathogen infection, positively regulating disease resistance through hormone signaling pathways - Si et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1.Physical interactions between TaR3H and Pm21 by yeast two-hybrid assay. (A) The interaction assays between TaR3H and Pm21FL or five truncated Pm21 fragments (CC, NBS, LRR, CC-NBS, and NBS-LRR). (B) The interaction assays between Pm21CC and TaR3H or five truncated TaR3H fragments (P1, R3H associated, P3, R3H domain, and P5). The original plasmids are the Gal4 DNA-binding domain vector (pGBKT7) and the Gal4 activation domain vector (pGADT7). All constructs were subsequently pairwise co-transformed into the yeast strain AH109 for protein interaction studies. Positive control: pGADT7-largeT+pGBKT7-53; negative control: pGADT7-largeT+pGBKT7-Lam. Yeast transformants were grown on selective media: SD/-TL (lacking tryptophan and leucine), SD/-TLH (lacking tryptophan, leucine, and histidine), and SD/-TLHA (lacking tryptophan, leucine, histidine, and adenine, with or without X-α-gal).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🌻💧 RESEARCH 💧🌻 Failure of the water-transporting system during drought stress was not reversed during recovery in sunflower, which challenges previous evidence and highlights the need to revisit similar assumptions in other species - Stewart et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3.Xylem embolism within a sunflower plant during drought stress and well-watered recovery. (A, B) Photographic images of a sunflower plant while stressed (i.e. at the end of the dry down) (A) and after 1 week of recovery under well-watered conditions (B). (C–E) Micro-computed tomographic images of xylem embolism (highlighted within the outlined tissues) in the stem, petioles (Pet.), and leaf midribs when the plant was subjected to drought stress (ΨStem of −1.23 MPa) (C), re-watered and allowed to recover overnight (D), and allowed to recover for 1 week (E). The arrows in (A, B) indicate the approximate locations of scanned tissue. For images without annotated features, see Supplementary Fig. S7. For (C–E), scale bar is 1 mm.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🦠 RESEARCH 🦠 Sugimoto et al. integrated bacterial and fungal community analyses to characterize leaf-side differences in interaction networks and predicted functional potential emphasizing combined effects of leaf surface traits and local microclimate. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3.Inter-kingdom co-occurrence networks on leaf surfaces. (A) Inter-kingdom co-occurrence networks on adaxial and abaxial surfaces of all trees. The node color represents bacterial (blue) and fungal (yellow) genera. The node size depends on the degree of connection. The edge color shows positive (light green) and negative (red) correlations. (B) Proportion of intra-kingdom (bacterial–bacterial and fungal–fungal) and inter-kingdom positive and negative correlations in microbial networks on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. (C) Degree values of bacterial and fungal genera in microbial co-occurrence networks on leaf surfaces (ns, not significant; Wilcoxon rank-sum test). (D) Degree and correlation type of the top 10 nodes in the microbial networks.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🐛 RESEARCH 🐛 Through integrated phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses in Arabidopsis and Brassica rapa, this study shows that similar seed-primed pest resistance phenotypes arise from distinct molecular pathways - Talavera-Mateo et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2.Transcriptome and metabolome profiling of non-primed (NP) and MeJA-primed B. rapa plants after 24 h of herbivore infestation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated features (DAFs) were analysed. (A) Bar plots showing the number of DEGs and DAFs between MeJA and NP plants under three conditions: undamaged control (C), T. urticae-infested (T), and P. brassicae-infested (P). (B) Venn diagrams of DEGs and DAFs comparing MeJA and NP plants for each infestation condition, illustrating shared and unique features across treatments. (C) DEGs and DAFs identified by comparing pest-infested versus undamaged control plants within each priming condition (NP or MeJA), then identifying those features shared between NP and MeJA responses (lines). Bar graphs show the number of shared DEGs or DAFs, with connecting lines indicating whether regulation direction is conserved.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🌾💧 RESEARCH 💧🌾 CNW-Wheat is an innovative whole plant functional–structural model coupling turgor pressure, carbon–nitrogen metabolism, and leaf growth in interaction with aboveground and belowground abiotic factors - Acker et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2.Coordination of leaf elongation. The graph shows the normalized length (logarithmic scale) of main stem leaves versus the phyllochronic time relative to leaf emergence (based on Fournier et al., 2005; Gauthier et al., 2020). Symbols are phytomer rank. Each point is the median of 5–10 observations. The dashed line is the emergence of the previous leaf (En–1), which triggers the transition from an exponential-like elongation (phase I) to a sigmoidal elongation (phase II). Below the graph, illustrations of the growing leaf stages are represented during both phases. From the initiation of leaf n to En–1, leaf n is represented as a homogenous hidden growth zone (hz, yellow), and follows an exponential-like elongation. After En–1, leaf n elongation is calculated according to the turgor-driven growth model (Lockhart–Ortega phase).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🌾🧬 RESEARCH 🧬🌾 Integrated phenological and gene-expression time courses across environments enabled robust phenotyping and validation of a molecularly grounded flowering model for wheat - Brown et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig (shortened, full legend in paper): 1.An example of the CAMP models time series predictions of apical development (A), Vrn gene expression (B) and gene and environment interactions (C). (A) Representation of apical development (ApDev) in CAMP as a bounded accumulation process with respect to Haun stage (HS). Developmental progress is constrained by a maximum rate (MaxVrn) and a base rate (VrnB), illustrating that CAMP represents relative developmental effect rather than direct gene expression on morphology. (B) Idealized relative activity of the major flowering-time genes Vrn1, Vrn2, and Vrn3 across developmental progression, shown on the same HS scale. Vertical dashed lines indicate the HS timing of vernal induction (VIHS), terminal spikelet (TSHS), and flag leaf appearance (FLHS). Stage labels on the x-axis denote developmental events; bracketed values beneath axis ticks indicate representative HS timings for the example simulation and are provided for orientation only.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🚨 SPECIAL ISSUE - CLOSING SOON 🚨 🔬 Proteases in Cell Fate Regulation 📝 Edited by Peter Bozhkov & Simon Stael 📅 Closing date: 31 October 📇 Got a suitable manuscript? Contact the JXB office: bit.ly/JXBissues #JXBspecialissues #PlantScience 🧪 @sebiology.bsky.social

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🌾🌡️ RESEARCH 🌡️🌾 Reaction norms to post-flowering heat estimated with the photoperiod-extension method effectively revealed variation in heat tolerance across wheat genotypes that could be useful to develop more tolerant cultivars - Yahya et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2 (shortened, full legend in paper): Genotype reaction norms (A–C), genotype tolerance thresholds (D–F), and coefficient of determination from the reaction norms (G–I) for grain yield (A, D, G) and individual grain weight (IGW; B, C, E, F, H, I) in response to post-flowering heat for the 25 studied genotypes in photoperiod-extension method (PEM) trials (spike level; B, E, H) and plot trials (crop level; A, C, D, F, G, I). In (A–C), genotype reaction norms are expressed relative to the number of hot days (T>32 °C) occurring between 0 °Cd and 500 °Cd after flowering. Reaction norms for seven selected genotypes are presented in colour including modern benchmark cv. Suntop, Mace, and Scout as well as EGA Wylie, and experimental lines Sokoll//FRTL and ZWB10-37. Red dashed horizontal lines indicate benchmarks, that is 250 g m−2 for yield and 30 mg for IGW.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

☀️ RESEARCH ☀️ Gao et al. used genetic variation in photosynthesis to improve yield potential in barley by integrating selected photosynthesis-related parameters assessed during development under field conditions into genomic prediction of yield. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 6.Prediction abilities of the photosynthesis-related parameters. (A) Prediction abilities across different years. Y21 and Y22 represent the adjusted entry means calculated from the experiment from year 2021 and 2022, respectively. ALL represents the adjusted entry means calculated from the combined datasets Y21 and Y22. The prediction ability was calculated by using 5-fold cross-validation with 100 replications. (B) Prediction abilities across different developmental phases. SEP, REP, and ASP represent the adjusted entry means calculated from the measurements taken in the slow expansion phase, rapid expansion phase, and anthesis and senescence phase, respectively. The common 199 genotypes across the three datasets were used for 5-fold cross-validation with 100 replications. ALL represents the adjusted entry means calculated from the combined datasets of the three developmental phases.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🌾❄️ RESEARCH ❄️🌾 A chilling-tolerant Miscanthus accession fine-tunes zeaxanthin, anthocyanin and chlorophyll levels in response to combined stresses, accelerating photoprotection under chilling conditions - Turc et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1.Schematic overview of the Miscanthus growth chamber experiments. Plants were grown in growth chambers under control conditions (20 °C/25 °C night/day) in fertile or low-fertility soil for 3 weeks and then subjected to three different temperature and light combinations: control (20 °C/25 °C night/day), warm night with chilling day (20 °C/10 °C night/day), or chilling night with warm day (5 °C/25 °C night/day). Photoperiod is indicated by the gray (night) and yellow (day) boxes. Temperature is indicated by orange (warm, 20 °C/25 °C night/day) and blue (chilling, 5 °C/10 °C night/day) boxes. Arrows indicate measurement points.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🥑🌱 RESEARCH 🌱🥑 Immature fruitlet abscission in avocado is mediated by a hormone-driven and transcriptome reprogramming that activates a senescence program of development in the seed coat to trigger abscission - Haberman et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 9.Differential expression of seed-dormancy signaling genes during fruitlet growth arrest in avocado. (A, B) Representative images of (A) a persisting and (B) a recently abscised fruitlet; EM, embryo; the red arrowhead indicates the seed coat. (C) Schematic diagram of dormancy signaling pathways. (D) Heatmaps of differentially expressed of ABA-associated dormancy-signaling genes in the seed coat, pericarp, and embryo during natural growth arrest (NGA), defoliation-induced early growth arrest (DEGA), and defoliation-induced late growth arrest (DLGA), as described in Fig. 3. (E) Heatmaps of differential expression of FT- and MFT-associated genes. The heatmaps show the log2(fold-change) of expression according to the colour gradient. Genes with a log2(fold-change)≤1 were assigned a value of 0. n=5.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🌾☀️ RESEARCH ☀️🌾 Pre-anthesis inflorescence greening supports floral survival and pollen viability, revealing a previously overlooked trait influencing reproductive success and grain yield - Babanna et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2.Effects of dark treatment on developing inflorescences. (A) Schematic representation of the treatment groups and their respective treatment phase. (B) Images of the developing inflorescences at different developmental stage between W2 until maturity and anther at W9 from dark treated and control treatments. (C) Chlorophyll autofluorescence in control (left) and dark-treated (right) inflorescence meristems at W4.5.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🌿🔬 EDITOR'S CHOICE 🔬🌿 Single-nucleus RNA sequencing in Artemisia annua uncovers a novel WD40 protein, WDR1, which modulates trichome development and artemisinin production via a WDR1–SPL9–HD1 regulatory loop - Lv et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1.Single-nucleus sequencing of glandular trichomes from A. annua leaves. (A) Diagram of a glandular trichome. B, basal cell; Sec, secretory cell; St, stalk cell. (B, C) Scanning electron micrographs of leaf 1 (B) and leaf 2 (C) from 10-day-old A. annua seedlings used for single-nucleus sequencing showing the different developmental stages of glandular trichomes on their epidermis. Scale bars, 20 µm. (D) Diagram of the A. annua single-nucleus sequencing pipeline.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🌾🌿 RESEARCH 🌿🌾 Catechin boosts rice nitrogen use efficiency through dual activation of ammonium transport and nitrogen-assimilating enzymes, driving inorganic nitrogen conversion into free amino acids to enhance rice growth - Du et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 7 (shortened, full legend in paper): Identification of key factors affecting the formation of the N usage index. The identification was based on a partial least squares path model (A), criterion-direct effect of major factors on the formation of the N usage index (B), and weights of the main factors accounted for by the variables (C). Nitrogen, different N levels (LN, MN, and HN); Varieties, different NUE varieties (XS and JY); Catechin, catechin concentrations of 0 mg l–1 and 20 mg l–1 (C0 and C20). N absorption represented by NO3−-N and NH4+-N ion flux rates in rice roots under different treatments; N transport represented by expression of NRT (OsNRT2;1, OsNRT2;2, OsNRT2;3) and AMT (OsAMT1;1, OsAMT1;2, OsAMT2;1, OsAMT2;2) family genes in rice roots; N assimilation represented by NR, GS, and GOGAT enzyme activities in rice; N content represented by NO3−-N and NH4+-N content in rice.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🧬 RESEARCH 🧬 Heterogeneity of ethylene receptor paralog interactions extends the ethylene response range, furthering knowledge of the emergent function of genetically redundant paralogs with low degrees of functional redundancy in fitness- Zhao et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 6.Annotated structures of ERPs in species at different evolutionary stages. The ERP structural features of the indicated species of Charophyta (A), Bryophyta (B), Pteridophyta (C), Gymnosperms (D), and Angiosperms (E). (F) A phylogeny of the species with their ERP structural features analyzed in this study. The species and accession numbers are indicated, and ERPs are not found in Cyanobacteria, Rhodophyta, and Chlorophyta species (Table 1; Supplementary Fig. S4; Supplementary Appendices S1, S2). Structures are analyzed by SMART, and the annotated domains are indicated. H, N, G1, F, and G2 denote the residues of the conserved signature motifs of the HK domain, indicated by asterisks (*). GAF, cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, adenylyl cyclases, and FhlA.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🚨 FINAL CALL 🚨 ⏰ Our 2027 Editorial Internship call closes TOMORROW at 23:59 BST 🌱✍️ Don’t leave it to last minute – the application takes a bit of work. You'll need: 📄 A CV 📝 A Cover letter 🔍 An Insight-style article Apply here: bit.ly/jxbinterns @sebiology.bsky.social

bit.ly

JXB Editorial Internships

About the internships The aim of these part-time internships is to provide early career researchers with experience of scientific publishing from the editorial

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🌾🔬 RESEARCH 🔬🌾 This biofortification strategy can stably increase grain iron and zinc concentrations in rice cultivars Nipponbare and Huaidao 5, offering a potential solution to alleviate global human iron and zinc deficiencies - Gong et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 5.Grain yield components in the transgenic NB plants. Photographs of (A) harvested grains and (B) the length and width of grains. (C) Total grain yield per plant, (D) 1000-grain weight, (E) length of grain, (F) width of grain, (G) plant height, (H) number of panicles per plant, (I) grain filling, (J) filled grain number per plant, (K) total grain number per plant, and (L) germination rates were analyzed. Scale bars=1 cm. Data represent the means ±SD (n=3). Statistical comparison was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Student’s t-test. All data were compared with the Nipponbare (NB) control (*P<0.05, **P<0.01).

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🌾🧬 REVIEW 🧬🌾 Neupane et al. review challenges to functional interpretation of rice WRKY TFs, including multifunctionality, redundancy, context dependency, and complex regulation, and outline emerging strategies to solving those challenges. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1.Classification and conserved domain structure of the WRKY TF family in rice [modified from X. Chen et al. (2019)]. The WRKY family is divided into three major groups, with Group II and III further subdivided based on the type of their WRKY domains and zinc-finger motifs. Group I proteins contain two WRKY domains (NT: N-terminal and CT: C-terminal) followed by a C2H2-type zinc-finger motif. Group II proteins contain a single WRKY domain followed by a C2H2-type motif. Group III proteins contain a single WRKY domain and C2HC-type zinc finger motif. Green boxes indicate the conserved WRKY heptapeptide, while the orange boxes show the zinc-finger motifs (C, cysteine; H, histidine; N, asparagine; R, arginine; T, threonine; X, any amino acid). Dashed lines and associated numbers indicate variable regions between motifs, highlighting structural diversity within the family. Created in BioRender. Neupane, K. (2026) https://BioRender.com/ro50ved.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🍐🧬 RESEARCH 🧬🍐 A cross-species protoplast isolation system for woody plants is developed alongside a DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 multiplex editing platform for Pyrus, enabling rapid trait analysis and transgene-free precision breeding - Shao et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1 (shortened, full legend in paper): A streamlined and efficient protoplast-based method for transgene-free genome editing and rapid gene functional analysis in woody perennials. (A) Outline of the optimization process of enzymatic hydrolysis conditions to yield high-purity and high-viability protoplasts across diverse woody species. (B) PEG–Ca2+-mediated delivery of plasmids and Cas9-single-guide RNA ribonucleoproteins to achieve overexpression or DNA-free efficient editing. (C–E) Multi-dimensional functional validation across different woody plant genera. The system facilitates a comprehensive analysis pipeline, including: (C) real-time subcellular localization and phenotypic analysis using high-resolution confocal imaging technology; (D) evaluation of editing efficiency and identification of mutation types through high-throughput sequencing; and (E) quantitative transcriptional analysis to investigate gene expression patterns and downstream regulatory networks.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🫛☀️ FLOWERING NEWSLETTER REVIEW ☀️🫛 In this review, Henriques & Benlloch explore how photoperiod-dependent flowering in legumes relies on the coordinated action of conserved (e.g. phyA) and specific (e.g. E1 proteins) molecular regulators 🧬 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 2 (shortened, full legend in paper): Role of phyA in photoperiodic flowering in Genistoid, Galegoid, and Phaseoloid legumes. (A) phyA function in Genistoid legumes (lupins) is poorly characterized and whether they act as floral promoters or repressors and their relationship to the lupin E1 proteins remains to be elucidated. (B) In LD Galegoid legumes (pea and Medicago), phyA acts as a flowering promoter, activating (directly or indirectly) the expression of GI, FT genes, and E1L. (C) In SD Phaseoloid species (soybean), phyA represses flowering by: (i) interacting with LUX and activating E1, E1La, and E1Lb expression; (ii) stabilizing E1, E1La, and E1Lb proteins; and (iii) directly binding and repressing FT genes. This model reflects information available in soybean, where more detailed molecular studies have been carried out.

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🌾 RESEARCH 🌾 Dinh et al. identified a rice genetic region that increases lateral root density by coordinating hormone pathways, offering new insight into regulation of lateral root primordia initiation and elongation in a phosphorus-efficient genotype. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 3.Evaluation of F3 progeny lines derived from backcrossing a line carrying the DJ123 allele at qLDC5 with NERICA4, conducted in an upland field in Mahajanga, Madagascar, in 2025. (A) Graphical representation of genotypes on chromosome 5 of parents and 12 BC2F3 lines used to confirm the qLDC5 effect on LLR branching density on primary roots. Marker positions on chromosome 5 (in kb) are indicated for the region with a DJ123 introgression from 24 425 kb until the end of chromosome 5. (B) Root photos of presentative lines excavated from the field. Line T1-2 was a negative control while Line H10-3 carried the positive allele at qLDC5.

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

Mirjam Meischner @mm-ecophys.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I am looking forward to meeting the #stable_isotope community and presenting our recent work on tree-tree signalling (📅Tue 06. Oct., 9:30 am) at this year's #ASI2026 at @uni-freiburg.de. 🙏to 👥 @simonhaber.bsky.social, @chriswernerlab.bsky.social, @jpschnitzler.net & 📄 @jxbotany.bsky.social

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

Meroz Lab @merozlab.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🌱 We introduce Segment Any Plant (SAP) in @jxbotany.bsky.social Alex Abbey developed a framework for plant image segmentation that works without task-specific training 🪩 Building on foundation vision model SAM2, SAP can segment and track growing plants across time and z-stacks tinyurl.com/4uw64paf

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

IceLab @icelabumu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New #plantscience publication out now from IceLab affiliate @treesandgrowth.bsky.social, also including work from IceLab affiliate Jun Yu and IceLab alums Bertold Mariën and Alexander Vergara. Read the article & learn about boosting poplar growth while preserving seasonal adaptation. 👇🌱

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

Maria E. Eriksson @treesandgrowth.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Delighted to share the results of years of work on modulating GA levels in #trees, made possible with a little help from molecular clockwork⏰ #PlantSci Biotechnological adaptation of high-yielding, gibberellin-overproducing Populus trees to seasonal growth patterns academic.oup.com/jxb/article/...

academic.oup.com

Biotechnological adaptation of high-yielding, gibberellin-overproducing Populus trees to seasonal growth patterns

Abstract. Tree growth is central to both terrestrial ecology and the forestry industry. Biotechnology for inducing the overproduction of phytohormones such

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Reposted by Journal of Experimental Botany

Umeå Plant Science Centre @umeaplantsciencecentre.se · 28/09/2026

🧪🌾PAPER – Can trees grow more without losing their seasonal rhythm? By fine-tuning gibberellin production using a component of the internal clock, @treesandgrowth.bsky.social show that Populus trees can combine increased growth with seasonal adaptation.🌳⏰ Read more in @jxbotany.bsky.social👇

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🍅🧬 EXPERT VIEW 🧬🍅 Phosphate starvation in tomato activates anthocyanin biosynthesis, in which crosstalk between the phosphate starvation response and the jasmonate pathway may play a key role - Junco et al. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/... #PlantScience 🧪

Fig. 1 (shortened, full legend in paper): Phosphate starvation (PiS) induces anthocyanin accumulation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves through jasmonate (JA) signaling. Under high Pi (HP, Pi sufficient conditions), elevated levels of inositol pyrophosphate (InsP8) promote the association of SPX with PHR/PHL proteins, maintaining PHR/PHLs in an inactive state and keeping phosphate starvation response (PSR) genes turned OFF. Under low Pi or phosphate starvation (LP/PiS) conditions, the proposed sequence of events is organized into three regulatory modules: (A) Pi sensing and PSR activation; (B) JA pathway engagement, and (C) regulatory integration and anthocyanin output. (A) Pi sensing and PSR activation: (1) Pi starvation is associated with a decrease in InsP8 content, while the Pi-responsive enzyme MIPS2 contributes to the adjustment of the cellular myo-inositol/InsP pool.

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