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Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology publishes new and significant information on the functional biology of plants at all scales from the molecular through whole plant to community. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Sergey Shabala

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Functional Plant Biology is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 29 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24150 Abstract  | PDF (836 KB) - $35.00   | FP24150Supplementary Material (907 KB)
Published online 29 October 2024

FP24185Cyclic electron flow and Photosystem II-less photosynthesis

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

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

FP24185 Abstract  |  FP24185 Full Text  | FP24185PDF (2.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 October 2024

FP24207Identification and characterisation of ‘No apical meristem; Arabidopsis transcription activation factor; Cup-shape cotyledon’ (NAC) family transcription factors involved in sugar accumulation and abscisic acid signalling in grape (Vitis vinifera)

Shuang Xia, Xinyuan Qi, Jinli Yang, Qiaoyun Deng and Xiuqin Wang 0000-0003-4764-835X
 

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

FP24207 Abstract  | PDF (2.3 MB) - $35.00   | FP24207Supplementary Material (4.5 MB)
Published online 17 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24132 Abstract  | PDF (3.3 MB) - $35.00   | FP24132Supplementary Material (920 KB)
Published online 16 October 2024

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

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

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

FP23327 Abstract  | PDF (1.6 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 15 October 2024

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

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

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

FP23143 Abstract  | PDF (3.8 MB) - $35.00   | FP23143Supplementary Material (1.2 MB)
Published online 14 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24205 Abstract  | PDF (2.5 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 10 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24059 Abstract  | PDF (8.3 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 04 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24196 Abstract  |  FP24196 Full Text  | FP24196PDF (4.7 MB)  | FP24196Supplementary Material (718 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 04 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24060 Abstract  | PDF (2.3 MB) - $35.00   | FP24060Supplementary Material (1.7 MB)
Published online 03 October 2024

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

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

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

FP24149 Abstract  | PDF (814 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 03 October 2024

FP24118Evaluating non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) kinetics and photosynthetic efficiency in cassava (Manihot esculenta) subjected to variable high light conditions

Raji Sadasivan Nair, Saravanan Raju, Sanket Jijabrao More 0000-0002-9672-4083, Jos Thomas Puthur 0000-0001-5075-3172, Jayanti Makasana 0000-0001-5959-3419 and Velumani Ravi
 

Excessive light can be detrimental to plant growth. To overcome this, plants employ photoprotective non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms. This study evaluated NPQ kinetics and growth of six cassava (Manihot esculenta) varieties under natural and intermittent high light conditions. Exposure to high light significantly affected biomass production, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis, with the variety ‘Sree Suvarna’ demonstrating the highest yield across all conditions. Identifying cassava varieties with effective NPQ regulation could improve photosynthetic efficiency and enhance crop resilience, supporting sustainable agricultural productivity.

FP24118 Abstract  | PDF (2.8 MB) - $35.00   | FP24118Supplementary Material (1.4 MB)
Published online 20 September 2024

FP24178Saltbush seedlings (Atriplex spp.) shed border-like cells from closed-type root apical meristems

Alison R. Gill 0000-0003-4366-6710 and Rachel A. Burton 0000-0002-0638-4709
 

Australian saltbush (Atriplex spp.), used for pasture in semi-arid areas, survive in exceptionally salty environments, but little is known about how salinity affects the root morphology and root exudates. We discovered that saltbush have closed-type root apical meristems and release limited sugars as root exudates, maintaining root:shoot ratio even at extreme salinity. These findings offer new insights into saltbush resilience and encourage further research into their unique root properties.

FP24178 Abstract  |  FP24178 Full Text  | FP24178PDF (3.5 MB)  | FP24178Supplementary Material (6.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 September 2024

FP23077Identification of WRKY transcription factors in Rosa chinensis and analysis of their expression response to alkali stress response

Changbing Huang, Wenhui Cheng, Yu Feng, Tongyu Zhang, Taotao Yan, Zhengzhi Jiang and Peilei Cheng 0009-0004-9828-831X
 

The China rose (Rosa chinensis) is known as the ‘queen of flowers’, and is commercially cultivated globally. To enable breeders to develop varieties tolerant to alkaline soils, we investigated the genes involved in their stress response. This research will also contribute to the broader understanding of plant stress responses and offer potential avenues for enhancing stress tolerance in crop species.

FP23077 Abstract  | PDF (9.9 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 19 September 2024

FP23161Specific physiological responses to alkaline carbonate stress in rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings: organic acid metabolism and hormone signalling

Dan Wang, Miao Xu, Teng-yuan Xu, Xiu-yun Lin, Elshan Musazade, Jing-mei Lu, Wei-jie Yue, Li-quan Guo 0000-0003-3424-2238 and Yu Zhang
 

Understanding how seedlings respond to stress from salt and alkalis can help inform strategies to boost plant performance in adverse environments. We examined how these stressors affect rice seedling physiology and gene expression. Genes that respond to salt and alkali stress are mainly involved in hormone signalling, and in the synthesis and metabolism of organic acids. These findings will contribute to engineering stress-tolerant crops.

FP23161 Abstract  | PDF (2.8 MB) - $35.00   | FP23161Supplementary Material (1.6 MB)

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These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Collections

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

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

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: 02 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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