Beneficial microorganisms (BMs) promote plant growth and enhance stress resistance. This review summarizes how BMs induce growth promotion by improving nutrient uptake, producing growth-promoting hormones and stimulating root development. How BMs enhance disease resistance and help protect plants from abiotic stresses has also been explored. Growth-defense trade-offs are known to affect the ability

SummaryTomato fruit ripening is a complex developmental process that is important for fruit quality and shelf life. Many factors, including ethylene and several key transcription factors, have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of tomato fruit ripening. However, our understanding of the regulation of tomato fruit ripening is still limited. Here, we describe mut26, an EMS‐induced tomato

SummaryOver‐application of potassium (K) fertilizer in fields has a negative impact on the environment. Developing rice varieties with high KUE will reduce fertilizer for sustainable agriculture. However, the genetic basis of KUE in a more diverse and inclusive population remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that the transcription factor OsNAC25 enhances K+ uptake and confers high KUE under low

SummaryWheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) is one of the most important food crops in the world. CRISPR/Cas12i3, which belongs to the type V‐I Cas system, has attracted extensive attention recently due to its smaller protein size and its less‐restricted canonical ‘TTN’ protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). However, due to its relatively lower editing efficacy in plants and the hexaploidy

SummaryTiller is an important factor in determining rice yield. Currently, researches mainly focus on the outgrowth of low‐order tiller (LOT), while the regulation mechanism of high‐order tiller (HOT) outgrowth has remained unknown. In this study, we detected one OsNL1 mutant, nl1, exhibiting HOT numbers increase, and found that OsNL1 interacts with OsTOPLESS2, which was mediated by the core motif

Flavonoids play critical roles in plant adaptation to environmental changes and are valuable medicinal resources (Chagas et al., 2022). Flavonoids are predominantly found in glycosylated forms, which exhibit increased structural complexity, solubility and stability. However, the aglycone forms of flavonoids exhibit greater antioxidant capacity and bioavailability (Xie et al., 2022). Enhancing the content

SummaryChicoric acid, a phenolic compound derived from plants, exhibits a range of pharmacological activities. Light significantly influences the chicoric acid biosynthesis in Taraxacum mongolicum; however, the transcriptional regulatory network governing this process remains unclear. A combined analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome revealed that blue light markedly enhances chicoric acid accumulation

SummaryOstrinia furnacalis (O. furnacalis) is a commonly occurring agricultural pest that can severely impact corn yield and quality. Therefore, establishing and implementing effective control methods against O. furnacalis are of great significance. Chemical insecticides remain the most effective means to mitigate the damage caused by O. furnacalis. With the increasing resistance of O. furnacalis to

The REDUCED HEIGHT (RHT) dwarfing alleles Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b were essential in the ‘Green Revolution’. The RHT1 gene encodes a DELLA protein, which participates in the gibberellin (GA) growth-stimulating pathway (Peng et al., 1999), and truncations of this protein are responsible for the GA-insensitive semi-dwarf Rht1b alleles (Van De Velde et al., 2021). The growth-repressing effect of Rht1b alleles

SummaryThe interaction dynamics of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, such as recognition, pairing, synapsis, recombination, and segregation are vital for species fertility and genetic diversity within populations. Meiotic crossover (CO), a prominent feature of meiosis, ensures the faithful segregation of homologous chromosomes and enriches genetic diversity within a population. Nevertheless, visually

SummaryThe molecular mechanisms underpinning the formation of the large, ellipsoidal starch granules of potato tuber are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate the distinct effects of PROTEIN TARGETING TO STARCH2b (PTST2b) and MYOSIN RESEMBLING CHLOROPLAST PROTEIN (MRC) on tuber starch granule morphology. A gene duplication event in the Solanaceae resulted in two PTST2 paralogs (PTST2a and PTST2b)

SummaryBacteria within the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex cause devastating diseases in numerous crops, causing important losses in food production and industrial supply. Despite extensive efforts to enhance plant tolerance to disease caused by Ralstonia, efficient and sustainable approaches are still missing. Before, we found that Ralstonia promotes the production of gamma‐aminobutyric acid

SummarySoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an exceptionally rich in isoflavones, and these compounds attach to oestrogen receptors in the human body, lessening the risk of breast cancer and effectively alleviating menopausal syndrome symptoms. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms that regulate soybean isoflavone accumulation is crucial for enhancing the production of these compounds. In this study,

SummaryPigments, as coloured secondary metabolites, endow the world with a rich palette of colours. They primarily originate from plants and microorganisms and play crucial roles in their survival and adaptation processes. In this article, we categorize pigments based on their chemical structure into flavonoids, carotenoids, pyrroles, quinones, azaphilones, melanins, betalains, flavins, and others

SummarySalinity significantly inhibits plant growth and development. While the recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor can reduce its ion content by secreting salt, the metabolic pathways it employs to adapt to high salt stress remain unclear. This study aims to unravel this enigma through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of L. bicolor under salt stress conditions. The results showed that

Aphids are sap-sucking insects of the order Hemiptera and are considered major agricultural pests owing to their direct feeding damage and transmission of plant viruses (Yu et al., 2016). The rapid development of insecticide-resistant pest biotypes and strong dispersal capacity cause significant economic losses in a wide range of plant hosts (Yu et al., 2016; Powell et al., 2006). Plants expressing

Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens that manipulate the cells they invade to create an environment conducive to their multiplication and spread. In plants, virus-caused diseases result in severe yield losses. At any given time during infection, only a fraction of cells supports active viral replication, frequently in a tissue-specific manner. It logically follows that, if entire organs (e

Trees account for approximately 90% of the Earth's biomass and provide humans with various necessities for survival, such as clean air and water, wood, fibre and fuel (Petit and Hampe, 2006; Tuskan et al., 2006). Compared with annual plants, trees have many significant features, such as perennial growth, large size, secondary growth from a vascular cambium and dormancy (Douglas, 2017). Trees should

SummarySheath blight (ShB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is a highly destructive disease in many crops worldwide and no major resistance genes are available. Here, we identified a sbr1 (sheath blight resistance 1) rice mutant, which shows enhanced ShB resistance and maintains wildtype agronomic traits including yield, but carries an undesired stay‐green phenotype. Through map‐based cloning and transgenic

SummaryShoot apical meristem (SAM) is the origin of aerial structure formation in the plant life cycle. However, the mechanisms underlying the maize SAM development are still obscure. Here, approximately 12 700 cells were captured from the 5‐day‐old shoot apex of maize using a high‐throughput single‐cell transcriptome sequencing. According to the gene expression patterns, we partitioned the cells into

SummaryRibulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is required for photosynthetic carbon assimilation, as it catalyses the conversion of inorganic carbon into organic carbon. Despite its importance, RuBisCO is inefficient; it has a low catalytic rate and poor substrate specificity. Improving the catalytic performance of RuBisCO is one of the key routes for enhancing plant photosynthesis

SummaryWheat stripe rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), threatens global wheat production, and therefore discovering genes involved in stripe rust susceptibility is essential for balancing yield with disease resistance in sustainable breeding strategies. Although TaGW2 is well known to negatively regulate wheat kernel size and weight, its role in stress response

SummarySeed dormancy is an important adaptive trait in plants. Proper seed dormancy enables the avoidance of preharvest sprouting in the undesirable conditions like rainfall frequently. In this study, qPSR8, a major QTL for preharvest sprouting, was isolated, and a previously reported heading‐date gene, CCT30, was verified as the candidate gene. The CCT30 knockout mutants (CCT30‐CR) enhanced seed dormancy

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] is an important food and feed crop. However, the genetic study of sweetpotato is relatively lagging due to its complex physiological and genetic characteristics. Sweetpotato belongs to the Batatas section of the genus Ipomoea in the Convolvulaceae. It is a hexaploid with a high level of heterozygosity in the genome. Most sweetpotato varieties are poorly self-compatible

SummaryBiomass crops engineered to accumulate energy‐dense triacylglycerols (TAG or ‘vegetable oils’) in their vegetative tissues have emerged as potential feedstocks to meet the growing demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Unlike oil palm and oilseed crops, the current commercial sources of TAG, vegetative tissues, such as leaves and stems, only transiently accumulate TAG

SummarySouthern corn rust (SCR), caused by Puccinia polysora Underw (P. polysora), is a catastrophic disease affecting maize, leading to significant global yield losses. The disease manifests primarily as pustules on the upper surface of corn leaves, obscuring our understanding of its cellular heterogeneity, the maize's response to its infection and the underlying gene expression regulatory mechanisms

The yield of rice F1 hybrid seed production is influenced by parental line traits, including stigma exsertion rate (SER), which impacts seed pricing and utilization (Marathi and Jena, 2015). SER is highly susceptible to environmental fluctuations, phenotypic and complex genetic factors (Miyata et al., 2007). Although over 40 QTLs related to SER have been identified, none have been molecularly characterized

SummaryPlant chromosome engineering has emerged as a pivotal tool in modern plant breeding, facilitating the transfer of desirable traits through the incorporation of alien chromosome fragments into plants. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the past achievements, current methodologies and future prospects of plant chromosome engineering. We begin by examining the successful integration of

SummaryMale sterility is an important agronomical trait in self‐pollinating plants for producing cost‐effective F1 hybrids to harness the heterosis. Still, large‐scale development and maintenance of male sterile lines and restoring fertility in F1 hybrids pose significant challenges in plant hybrid breeding. Cotton is a self‐pollinating crop and exhibits strong hybrid vigor. However, there are currently

SummaryKernel row number (KRN) is a major yield related trait for maize (Zea mays L.) and is also a major goal of breeders, as it can increase the number of kernels per plant. Thus, identifying new genetic factors involving in KRN formation may accelerate improving yield‐related traits genetically. We herein describe a new kernel number‐related gene (KRN5b) identified from KRN QTL qKRN5b and encoding

SummaryThe functional stay‐green trait is a major goal of rice breeding. Here, we cloned OsSCE1a encoding SUMO‐conjugating enzyme from Yuanjiang common wild rice, which simultaneously regulates the functional stay‐green trait and growth duration. Low expression or knocking out OsSCE1a corresponded to increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic competence, N use efficiency and a shortened growth period

SummaryThe protein crops known as lupins have been bred to accumulate low levels of antinutritional alkaloids, neglecting their potential as sources of valuable metabolites. Here, we engineered narrow‐leafed lupin (NLL) to accumulate large amounts of a single alkaloid of industrial interest called (−)‐sparteine. While (−)‐sparteine is recognized as a key auxiliary molecule in chiral synthesis, its

SummaryPrevention of severe COVID‐19 disease by SARS‐CoV‐2 in high‐risk patients, such as immuno‐compromised individuals, can be achieved by administration of antibody prophylaxis, but producing antibodies can be costly. Plant expression platforms allow substantial lower production costs compared to traditional bio‐manufacturing platforms depending on mammalian cells in bioreactors. In this study,

SummaryResistant starch (RS) is a special kind of starch with beneficial effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic complications. Breeding high‐RS rice varieties is considered a valuable way to improve public health. However, most rice cultivars only contain an RS level lower than 2% in cooked rice, and cloning of RS genes is critical to improve RS levels in rice. The loss of function of

SummaryVery‐long‐chain (VLC) alkanes are major components of hydrophobic cuticular waxes that cover the aerial epidermis of land plants, serving as a waterproofing barrier to protect the plant against environmental stresses. The mechanism of VLC‐alkane biosynthesis has been extensively elucidated in plants. However, little is known about the biosynthesis of long‐chain alkanes (LC, C13 ~ C19) such as

SummaryAs global temperatures rise, improving crop yields will require enhancing the thermotolerance of crops. One approach for improving thermotolerance is using bioengineering to increase the thermostability of enzymes catalysing essential biological processes. Photorespiration is an essential recycling process in plants that is integral to photosynthesis and crop growth. The enzymes of photorespiration

SummaryThe genetic improvement of rice eating and cooking quality (ECQ) is an important goal in rice breeding. It is important to understand the genetic regulation of ECQ at the genomic level for effective breeding to improve ECQ. However, the mechanisms underlying the improvement of ECQ of indica and japonica cultivars in southern China remain unclear. In this study, 290 rice cultivars (155 indica

SummaryCrop diseases cause significant quality and yield losses to global crop products each year and are heavily controlled by chemicals along with very limited antibiotics composed of small molecules. However, these methods often result in environmental pollution and pest resistance, necessitating the development of new bio‐controlling products to mitigate these hazards. To identify effective antimicrobial

Severe vitamin E deficiency causes ataxia, neuropathy, anaemia and other health conditions, and inadequate vitamin E status is prevalent in healthy population (Malik et al., 2021). Meanwhile, global food production falls short in delivering sufficient vitamin E, resulting in a nutrient gap of 31% (Smith et al., 2021). Although various tocochromanol isoforms are found in crop seeds, only α-tocopherol

SummarySoybean, a staple crop on a global scale, frequently encounters challenges due to lodging under high planting densities, which results in significant yield losses. Despite extensive research, the fundamental genetic mechanisms governing lodging resistance in soybeans remain elusive. In this study, we identify and characterize the Creeping Stem 1 (CS1) gene, which plays a crucial role in conferring

SummaryFlooding is a widespread natural disaster that causes tremendous yield losses of global food production. Rice is the only cereal capable of growing in aquatic environments. Direct seeding by which seedlings grow underwater is an important cultivation method for reducing rice production cost. Hypoxic germination tolerance and root growth in waterlogged soil are key traits for rice adaptability

SummaryThe growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.) are significantly impeded by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) play crucial roles in enabling plants to detect and respond to elevated temperatures. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the responses of HSFs to heat stress in maize remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of

SummaryHow carbon (sucrose) and nitrogen (amino acid) accumulation is coordinatively controlled in cereal grains remains largely enigmatic. We found that overexpression of the strigolactone (SL) biosynthesis gene CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 8 (CCD8) resulted in greater ear diameter and enhanced sucrose and amino acid accumulation in maize kernels. Loss of ZmCCD8 function reduced kernel growth with

Double haploid (DH) technology can be used to rapidly develop homozygous lines (Geiger and Gordillo, 2009). As the fundamental component of DH technology, the traditional inducer lines were developed through a process of recurrent selection over multiple generations, a method that was inherently time-consuming. The advent of gene editing technology has facilitated the creation of inducer lines in an

Ferredoxins (Fds), a category of small iron-sulphur [2Fe-2S] cluster-containing proteins, localize in plastids and are required for distributing electrons from photosystem I (PSI) to downstream metabolic reactions (Hanke and Mulo, 2013). Based on their expression pattern and redox potential, Fds in higher plants are classified into leaf (photosynthetic) and root (non-photosynthetic) types. In rice

Flavonoids are a class of secondary metabolites widely present in plants that serve various functions, such as pigmentation, UV protection and defence against pathogens and herbivores (Naik et al., 2022). Numerous structural genes and transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis have been successfully identified (Naik et al., 2022), which has significantly enhanced our understanding of

SummaryTomato is one of the most economically important vegetable crops in the world and has been seriously affected by the devastating agricultural pest root‐knot nematodes (RKNs). Current understanding of tomato resistance to RKNs is quite limited. VQ motif‐containing family proteins are plant‐specific regulators; however, whether and how tomato VQs regulate resistance to RKNs is unknown. Here, we

SummaryRapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally significant oilseed crop with strong heterosis performance. Recessive genic male sterility (RGMS) is one of the key approaches for utilizing heterosis in B. napus. However, this method faces the inherent challenge of being time‐consuming and labour‐intensive for removing fertile plants during seed production. Here, we report a hypocotyl length‐regulated

SummaryIt is urgent to mine novel blast‐resistant genes in rice and develop new rice varieties with pyramiding blast‐resistant genes. In this study, a new blast‐resistant gene, OsBRW1, was screened from a set of rice near‐isogenic lines (NILs) with different blast‐resistant ability. Under the infection of Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), OsBRW1 in the resistant NIL Pi‐4b was highly induced than that

SummaryThe abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway plays a crucial role in plants’ response to drought stress. In this study, we aimed to characterize the impact of an ABA signalling module, which consisted of TaPYL9 and its downstream partners in Triticum aestivum, on plant drought adaptation. Our results showed that TaPYL9 protein contains conserved motifs and targets plasma membrane and nucleus after

SummaryHeat stress (HS) has become a major factor limiting crop yields worldwide. HS inhibits plant growth by ROS accumulation, and NADPH oxidases (Rbohs) are major ROS producers in plants. Here, we show that CRISPR/Cas knockout of the OsRbohB (OsRbohB‐KO) significantly increased rice tolerance to HS imposed at various different growth stages. We produced OsRbohB‐KO and OsRbohB‐overexpression (OsRbohB‐OE)

SummaryAccurate prediction of flowering time across diverse environments is crucial for effective crop management and breeding. While the accumulated temperature index (ATI) is widely used as an indicator for estimating flowering time, its traditional definition lacks systematic evaluation and genetic basis understanding. Here, using data from 422 rice hybrids across 47 locations, we identified the

SummaryPopulations of Polypogon fugax have developed resistance to many acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides. This resistance threats the effectiveness and sustainability of herbicide use. In our previous research, a field P. fugax population exhibited GST‐based metabolic resistance to the widely used ACCase‐inhibiting herbicide quizalofop‐p‐ethyl. Here, in this current study, we identified

SummaryIn plants, L‐serine (Ser) biosynthesis occurs through various pathways and is highly dependent on the atmospheric CO2 concentration, especially in C3 species, due to the association of the Glycolate Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (GPSB) with photorespiration. Characterization of a second plant Ser pathway, the Phosphorylated Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (PPSB), revealed that it is at the crossroads

Rice blast, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae, is the most detrimental disease to rice. Yield losses caused by this disease were from 10% to 30% in rice planting areas (Skamnioti and Gurr, 2009); severe cases may even lead to complete cessation of production (Parker et al., 2008). Cloning rice blast resistant genes and applying them to cultivate resistant varieties is a practical and effective method

Quantifying transcript levels is essential for understanding the gene functions and regulatory networks. To achieve this, various techniques have been developed to measure gene transcription levels, including transcriptome sequencing (Mutz et al., 2013). Standard RNA-seq experiment involves several key steps: RNA extraction, mRNA purification, reverse transcription, second-strand cDNA synthesis, adapter

Soybean production in low-latitude regions is more than 50 per cent of the total worldwide production (United States Department of Agriculture, 2023). Therefore, it is very important to increase soybean yield in low-latitude regions. The branching number and flowering time are the major factors affecting soybean grain yield (Fang et al., 2024). Delaying flowering and maturity, and increasing the branch

SummaryThe growing demand for sustainable platforms for biomolecule manufacturing has fuelled the development of plant‐based production systems. Agroinfiltration, the current industry standard, offers several advantages but faces limitations for large‐scale production due to high operational costs and batch‐to‐batch variability. Alternatively, here, we describe the CuBe system, a novel bean yellow

Transcription factors (TFs), representing 5%–8% of eukaryotic nuclear genome, bind specific DNA sequences like promoters to regulate transcription (Lambert et al., 2018). Identifying these sequences is vital for understanding TF functions. Techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay, dual-luciferase