GS11 encodes a microtubule-associated protein that modulates grain shape in rice
October 2026
Grain shape is a key agronomic trait for grain yield and quality in crops. Studies on rice have revealed several complex signaling pathways governing cell proliferation and cell expansion during grain...
TaMYB72-B and TaGSK3 coordinately modulate wheat tillering through transcriptional and post-translational regulation of TN1
October 2026
Tiller number is a pivotal agronomic trait directly determining grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Although TN1 is a key positive regulator of tillering, its regulatory network remains incompletely...
Map-based cloning and functional analysis of the semi-dwarf and dense-spike gene Sdd1 in bread wheat
October 2026
Plant architecture is a critical determinant of crop yield, in which plant height serves as a key morphological trait. In this study, we characterized a novel wheat mutant named AS34 carrying a pleiotrophic...
OsEREBP109 increases rice blast resistance by transcriptionally activating the RNA-binding protein gene OsGRP5
October 2026
Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most destructive diseases threatening rice production worldwide. This study aimed to characterize the function of the transcription factor OsEREBP109...
Fine mapping and functional characterization of a CC-NBS-LRR gene underlying the bacterial wilt resistance QTL (qBWA12) in peanut
October 2026
The objective of this study was to characterize genetic resistance to bacterial wilt (BW) of peanut caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. We fine-mapped qBWA12, a major quantitative trait locus for BW resistance,...
Reprogramming, not silencing: How plant immunity is gated during legume nodulation
October 2026
Legume–Rhizobium symbiosis requires rhizobial entry and intracellular persistence without triggering host defense. Recent genetic and biochemical studies support an immune-gating view in which plant...
Decoding a sugarcane founder clone: Genomic insights for precision breeding in a complex polyploid crop
October 2026
Engineering the CatI intron creates a broadly applicable cis-element for crop breeding and plant research
October 2026
Some introns can act as cis-elements to enhance gene expression without altering promoter specificity. Here, we engineered the castor bean catalase 1 first intron (CatI) by mutagenesis and identified...
Pixel size and spatial scale in phenomics and enviromics modeling for precision breeding
October 2026
Knowing how much information a single pixel can provide is not just a technical issue; it shapes what we learn, and what we will learn, from the field. This article examines how pixel size governs the...
Identification of the QBB.hau-4A candidate gene for black point resistance in bread wheat
October 2026
Black point (BP) disease affects wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide, and identifying BP resistance genes is essential for developing resistant cultivars. We previously detected QBB.hau-4A,...
Chewing insect-induced activation of NtNAC29 and NtNAC94 enhances plant defense via NtCPI8 in tobacco
October 2026
The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of numerous crops. Plant responses to cotton bollworm attack are generally attributed to two primary factors: physical...
GenoBaits Flax45K: A high-resolution, flexible liquid SNP array for genetics and molecular breeding in flax
October 2026
A high-throughput genotyping platform is essential for genetic research and molecular breeding in flax. We present GenoBaits Flax45K, a targeted sequencing SNP array designed by integrating whole-genome...
Calcium application synergizes lodging resistance and yield potential in rapeseed by cell wall strengthening and photosynthesis
October 2026
Improving lodging resistance without compromising yield is a major challenge in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a globally important oilseed crop. Here, we demonstrate that calcium application simultaneously...
The pleiotropic gene LVN3 increases rice grain yield by modulating GA signaling to increase sink strength, source supply, and vascular flow
October 2026
In rice (Oryza sativa L.), the vascular bundle tissue in the panicle neck plays a critical role in transporting photosynthetic products, nutrients, and water from the roots and leaves to the panicles,...
The BM-SZ gene encoding an α/β hydrolase is essential for wax accumulation in sorghum
October 2026
Plant cuticular wax forms a hydrophobic barrier that protects plants against various biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, UV radiation, and pathogen infections. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)...
Exogenous strigolactones selectively suppress redundant tillers to increase phenotypic plasticity and grain yield in high-density and strong-tillering winter wheat
October 2026
The objective of this study was to identify how strigolactones (SLs) coordinate canopy architecture and yield plasticity in winter wheat at varying planting densities and genotypic tillering potentials....
Systematic mining identifies two Type I-C CRISPR systems for efficient genome editing in maize
October 2026
Type I-C CRISPR systems induce unidirectional long-fragment DNA degradation and offer promisingtools for targeted large-fragment deletion and broader-window base editing. However, Dvu I-C is the only...
The microRNA399-PHOSPHATE2 module acts as a dual regulator of root architecture and systemic signaling under phosphate starvation in rice
October 2026
The microRNA399-PHOSPHATE2 (miR399-PHO2) module is known to maintain phosphate homeostasis in plants, yet its spatiotemporal control and integration of phosphate signaling under low-phosphate (LP) stress...
Beyond survival: CHPO links chilling recovery, nitrogen use and yield resilience in rice
October 2026
Synergizing wheat yield stability and grain quality through long-term green manure incorporation with chemical nitrogen fertilization
October 2026
A persistent trade-off exists between yield gains and quality improvement, but achieving their synergistic enhancement is a critical challenge for modern agricultural production. Green manure has long...
Integrative multi-omics reveals regulators of oil accumulation in soybean seed
October 2026
Integrated multi-omics analyses were conducted on nine soybean cultivars throughout seed maturation. Representative metabolic biomarkers covering six metabolite classes effectively differentiated oil-contrasting...
Multi-environment sparse testing strategies improve genomic prediction of hybrid performance and general combining ability in maize
October 2026
Multi-environment trials (METs) are essential for maize breeding, but their implementation is often constrained by limited resources, particularly the high cost of phenotyping. To optimize resource...
GhAKR1 increases salt tolerance in cotton by integrating ethylene signaling and antioxidant defense
October 2026
Soil salinity poses a major threat to cotton production. The objective of this study was to identify a novel regulator of salt tolerance in cotton root-tip cells, the initial site of salt perception,...
Fine mapping of qKDR3.06 identifies ZmBAK1a as a candidate gene controlling kernel dehydration rate in maize
October 2026
Kernel moisture content (KMC) and kernel dehydration rate (KDR) strongly influence grain quality and suitability for mechanical harvesting in maize (Zea mays), yet the underlying genetic architecture...
GDSL WILTING LEAF1 protein confers heat, drought, and salt stress tolerance in maize by regulating vascular development
October 2026
The yield of crops is constrained by abiotic stresses such as heat and drought. In this study, we characterized a wilting maize mutant, wilting leaf1 (wl1-ref), which exhibited leaf wilting, dwarfism,...
