Genomic diversity at the Glu-D1 locus in Aegilops tauschii reveals the origin of elite high-molecular-weight glutenin genes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)
May 2026
The Glu-D1 locus of the Aegilops tauschii genome carries two high-molecular-weight glutenin genes, Dx and Dy, that are essential for viscoelastic properties of bread wheat dough, contributing to its...
We are not all the same: The role of intrapopulation trait variability in shaping functional strategy and performance of widespread species
May 2026
Functional traits influence plant performance and adaptability to environmental changes, as environments select optimal phenotypes, leading to diverse functional strategies. While trait-based studies...
A Palearctic divide, niche conservatism and host-fungal endophyte interactions shaped the phylogeography of the grass Brachypodium sylvaticum
May 2026
Brachypodium sylvaticum is a perennial woodland grass selected as a model species for perenniality, which is widely distributed across the Palearctic. This plant forms a symbiosis with the endophytic...
Insights into the phylogenetic, structural and functional evolution of LHC superfamily in photosynthetic organisms
May 2026
Photosynthesis is the fundamental process for the survival of photosynthetic organisms. The light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) play a crucial role in light energy capture and transfer. Despite their...
Chromosome-level genome and population genomics reveal demographic history, incomplete divergence and coastal adaptation of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense in East China
May 2026
•First chromosome-level genome assembly of Rhododendronsimsii var. putuoense (479.30 Mb, contig N50 = 33.97 Mb, 98.4 % BUSCO), advancing Ericaceae genomics.•21 populations form coastal-island genetic...
Resequencing of 284 genomes reveals evolutionary history and hotspot of genetic diversity of the giant bamboos
May 2026
The Dendrocalamus giganteus complex comprises D. giganteus, D. calostachyus and D. sinicus, being the largest known, iconic bamboo species and is economically, ecologically and culturally significant...
Chromosome-level genome and population resequencing reveal genetic diversity, demographic history, and climate risk in the East Asian relict tree Perkinsiodendron macgregorii
May 2026
Relict trees are key to understanding macroevolution, biogeography, and extinction risk under environmental change, yet genome-wide data on diversity and demography remain scarce. Perkinsiodendron macgregorii,...
Leaf nutrients regulate phyllosphere microbial dynamics in rubber trees
Available online 30 May 2026
Mechanisms underlying the assembly and succession of phyllosphere microbiota in rubber plantations are crucial for understanding ecosystem health and functionality, yet poorly understood. In this study,...
Resource-poor environments drive more prevalent habitat associations in Ectomycorrhizal tree species: Evidence from tropical, subtropical, and subalpine forest dynamics plots
Available online 28 May 2026
Niche differentiation is a fundamental mechanism underlying tree species distribution patterns and coexistence in forest communities. Beyond the topographic heterogeneity that shapes species local distributions,...
The spatial patterns and coupling relationships of the multidimensional α diversity (species, functional, and phylogenetic) of desert plants in the Tarim Basin
Available online 27 May 2026
Plant diversity serves as the foundation for maintaining ecosystem functions and services. Existing research has primarily focused on areas with high vegetation cover, such as forests and grasslands,...
Soil microbial nitrogen-cycling functional groups rather than phosphorus-cycling functional groups regulate plant functional diversity along the successional pathway in subtropical karst forests
Available online 26 May 2026
While it has been established that soil microbes mediate the element transformation and redistribution among soil, plants, and the atmosphere, the influence of microbe-mediated variations in key soil...
Genomic insights into origin of Rosa ‘Hetian’ along the Silk Road and EdiRose2.0, an update for the reticulate evolution of edible roses in China
Available online 25 May 2026
The Silk Road significantly expedited both cultural and biological exchanges between East and West, especially Eurasia. As an important source of essential oil, Rosa ‘Hetian’ serves as a popular edible...
Genome evolution shaped by post-polyploid diploidization in the paleo-allopolyploid mangrove Heritiera littoralis (Malvaceae)
Available online 22 May 2026
Polyploidy and the subsequent post-polyploid diploidization (PPD) are key drivers of plant evolution and adaptation, yet the genomic mechanisms underlying evolution in paleo-allopolyploids remain poorly...
A global phylogeny of Phlomoides (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) based on chloroplast genomes: Insights into infrageneric classification, character evolution, biogeography, and diversification
Available online 21 May 2026
Being the second largest genus in the subfamily Lamioideae (Lamiaceae), Phlomoides comprises approximately 180 species distributed mainly across Eurasia, with diversity centers in Central Asia, the...
Two Eremogone (Caryophyllaceae) genomes provide insights into alpine adaptation
Available online 21 May 2026
•Chromosome-scale genomes of two Eremogone species.•A recent shared genome triplication shaped Caryophyllaceae evolution.•Reconstruction of the ancestral Caryophyllaceae karyotype (ACK, n = 9).•Biased...
The small island effect modulates multidimensional nestedness in bryophyte assemblages on karst mountain habitat islands
Available online 20 May 2026
Nestedness is a pervasive pattern in island biogeography, yet most tests remain taxonomic, with far fewer evaluations in functional and phylogenetic dimensions, especially for bryophytes in karst “mountain...
Polyploidy meets the Cape: Evolutionary dynamics of Heliophila (Brassicaceae)
Available online 20 May 2026
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR), a global biodiversity hotspot, provides an exceptional setting for studying plant diversification. The South African genus Heliophila (Brassicaceae), notable for its...
Tougher leaves under global urbanization
Available online 16 May 2026
Urban environments expose resident organisms to intense, multifaceted selective pressures. Studies employing intraspecific responses of functional traits have proven particularly valuable for understanding...
Latitudinal diversity gradients of soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation in China
Available online 15 May 2026
The latitudinal diversity gradient is one of the most general biogeographical patterns. However, current latitudinal diversity gradients have been mostly focused on aboveground vegetation, while such...
From monotypic to multispecies: Integrative data redefine Rheum nobile complex (Polygonaceae) in Sky Island-Alpine habitats
Available online 14 May 2026
•Overturns the long-held view of Rheum nobile as a single species, revealing it to be a complex of four distinct species.•Each species is geographically restricted: Central Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas,...
Stone-like fruit is associated with reduced herbivory and enhanced reproductive success in an alpine legume (Phyllolobium heydei)
Available online 12 May 2026
•Fruits of Phyllolobium heydei evolved remarkably similar to stones;•This phenotypic adaptation may protect the fruits from herbivores and thereby increase ensure reproductive success in harsh alpine...
How does plant diversity drive productivity in China’s drylands: Through complementary or mass ratio effects?
Available online 12 May 2026
Dryland biodiversity–productivity relationships remain poorly resolved. Specifically, the environmental conditions governing the shift between complementarity and mass ratio mechanisms remain unclear,...
Divergent responses of microbial networks to global change scenarios during alpine cushion plant degradation
Available online 4 May 2026
The degradation of alpine cushion plants is known to disrupt soil microbial networks. To explore the mechanisms behind this, we collected soils across a degradation sequence on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau...
Unraveling phylogeny in Juglandaceae and endangered status of Carya sinensis via genome assembly and population genomics
Available online 29 April 2026
Carya sinensis is a national second-class protected plant species in China and has been listed among Plants Species with Extremely Small Populations since 2009. As an extremely rare species with fewer...
Functional traits and cross-year effects mediate the biodiversity–stability relationship in desert ephemeral plants
Available online 28 April 2026
Understanding the mechanisms of biodiversity-driven functional stability is crucial for predicting ecological resilience. For desert ephemerals, whose aboveground biomass (AGB) is highly transient and...
