Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arzoo Ahad, Alvina Gul, Tuba Sharf Batool, Noor-ul Noor-ul Huda, Faiza Naseeer, Uzma Abdul Salam, Maria Abdul Salam, Mahnoor Ilyas, Bengu Turkyilmaz Unal, Munir Ozturk
Summary: Environmental variation is a crucial problem that negatively affects food availability and leads to food insecurity. Wheat, being the largest staple food crop, is severely threatened by abiotic stresses such as salinity, heavy metal toxicity, drought, extreme temperatures, and oxidative stresses. Cold stress is a significant ecological constraint that hampers the development and yield of plants. Understanding cold tolerance and improving it in wheat is critical for expanding the adaptability of perennial grasses.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shanshan He, Xianxian Wang, Zhiyu Du, Pingping Liang, Yifan Zhong, Lin Wang, Yuan-Ye Zhang, Yingjia Shen
Summary: Kandelia obovata, the most cold-tolerant mangrove species, showed acclimation to cold waves through physiological changes and gene expression. We identified 1,135 cold acclimation-related genes (CARGs), which are involved in calcium signaling, cell wall modification, and ubiquitination pathways. CBFs and CBF-independent transcription factors played important roles in regulating the expression of CARGs.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Song, Xiaoyan Zhang, Minze Li, Hao Yang, Diyi Fu, Jian Lv, Yanglin Ding, Zhizhong Gong, Yiting Shi, Shuhua Yang
Summary: Cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana triggers significant transcriptional reprogramming through the CBF-dependent pathway, involving CBF transcription factors binding to conserved sequences on target genes. CBF-target genes are enriched in functions related to hormones, light, and circadian rhythm signaling, indicating their role as key integrators of endogenous and external cues.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dhiraj Dokwal, Jean-Christophe Cocuron, Ana Paula Alonso, Rebecca Dickstein
Summary: Medicago truncatula undergoes metabolic changes in response to phosphorus deprivation, with a decrease in organic acids and phosphorylated metabolites in leaves and an increase in sugars and amino acids in the whole plant.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Xiuxiu Zhang, Yu Sun, Xiao Qiu, Hai Lu, Inhwan Hwang, Tianzuo Wang
Summary: Legume plants are important food sources, but their production is limited by abiotic stresses. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the adaptive mechanism of the model legume plant Medicago truncatula in response to drought, salt, and cold stress, and discusses future research directions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sixuan Zhao, Xiangli Ou, Yidan Zhang, Yingwen Wei, Xiule Yue, Zhiguang Zhao
Summary: This study compared the carbohydrate metabolism and transcriptome of Arabidopsis and Chorispora bungeana during cold acclimation. The results showed that Arabidopsis experienced a shortage of carbohydrates during cold acclimation, while Chorispora bungeana had increased starch accumulation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes for photosynthesis antenna proteins were repressed by cold stress in both species, but cold-up-regulated genes were enriched in different pathways. These findings uncovered the drawback of cold acclimation in improving freezing tolerance and highlighted the importance of photoprotective mechanisms in Chorispora bungeana's cold adaptation.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Haifang Jiang, Yiting Shi, Jingyan Liu, Zhen Li, Diyi Fu, Shifeng Wu, Minze Li, Zijia Yang, Yunlu Shi, Jinsheng Lai, Xiaohong Yang, Zhizhong Gong, Jian Hua, Shuhua Yang
Summary: This study unravels the mechanism of cold tolerance in maize, showing that the transcription factor ZmICE1 plays a significant role in reprogramming amino acid metabolism and regulating the expression of specific genes involved in cold stress response, thus affecting cold tolerance in maize.
Article
Plant Sciences
Henrique Noronha, Angelica Silva, Tiago Silva, Sarah Frusciante, Gianfranco Diretto, Hernani Geros
Summary: The accumulation of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) is a critical response of plants to abiotic stresses, including cold. This study investigated the role of galactinol synthases (GolS) and raffinose synthases (RafS) in the cold response of grapevine woody tissues. Results showed that cold acclimation led to an increase in sugar content and abscisic acid (ABA) levels, and VviRafS5 was identified as a key player in grapevine cold response. The study suggests that ABA accumulation upregulates VivRafS5, leading to raffinose synthesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yinruizhi Li, Mengdi Wang, Tao Guo, Shuwen Li, Ke Teng, Di Dong, Zhuocheng Liu, Chenyan Jia, Yuehui Chao, Liebao Han
Summary: This study reveals that overexpression of ABI4 under low-temperature conditions can increase the content of endogenous ABA in plants through interactions with ABA2, thereby reducing low-temperature damage in plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Jessica M. Brown, Xingwang Yu, H. McCamy P. Holloway, Tan D. Tuong, Brian M. Schwartz, Aaron J. Patton, Consuelo Arellano, David P. Livingston, Susana R. Milla-Lewis
Summary: Zoysiagrasses, popular low-input and warm-season turfgrasses in the US, have limited freezing tolerance. A study identified QTL related to freezing tolerance, providing a basis for breeding efforts to develop zoysiagrass cultivars capable of surviving in cold climates.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kohei Kitawaki, Ryota Mihara, Saori Kamimura, Akito Sato, Mari Ushiyama, Yasuko Ito-Inaba, Takehito Inaba
Summary: Chemical compounds that affect intracellular processes have been identified in germinated seedlings, but using mature plants for chemical screening would advance our understanding of environmental responses. This study developed a high-throughput screening method using single leaves of mature plants to identify small molecules that affect cold-regulated gene expression. Derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone were found to specifically inhibit COR gene expression and upstream signaling processes in response to low temperature.
Article
Forestry
Faujiah Nurhasanah Ritonga, Siyu Yan, Song Chen, Syamsudin A. Slamet, Laswi Irmayanti, Runxian Song, Xin Lin, Yanan Jing, Umar Farooq, Muneer A. Khoso, Su Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cold acclimation on reducing freezing stress in Betula platyphylla seedlings. The results showed that cold acclimation significantly reduced the detrimental effects of freezing stress, with antioxidant enzymes and proline playing important roles in mitigating freezing damage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jun Liu, Ian R. Willick, Hayato Hiraki, Ariana D. Forand, John R. Lawrence, George D. W. Swerhone, Yangdou Wei, Supratim Ghosh, Yeon Kyeong Lee, Jorunn E. Olsen, Bjoern Usadel, Alexandra Wormit, Markus Guenl, Chithra Karunakaran, James J. Dynes, Karen K. Tanino
Summary: Cold acclimated plants can enhance freezing survival by reducing cell wall porosity through de-methyl esterification of homogalacturonan and subsequent cross-linking with Ca(2+).
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuo Wang, Yirong Shen, Deyin Deng, Liangyu Guo, Yixian Zhang, Yuqi Nie, Yunfei Du, Xijuan Zhao, Xiaoxue Ye, Jianqin Huang, Huahong Huang, Jian-Kang Zhu, Wenwu Wu
Summary: In this study, we identified 35 conserved cold-responsive transcription factor orthogroups (CoCoFos) through orthogroup analysis of five representative eudicots. Experimental validation showed that one of these transcription factors, BBX29, is a negative regulator of cold tolerance in Arabidopsis.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Turhan Yilmaz, Dilmini Alahakoon, Anne Fennell
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in cold hardiness and chilling fulfillment among four cold climate grapevine cultivars. Marquette showed the highest freezing tolerance, making it a potential sentinel cultivar for comparisons of new selections, while Brianna acclimated slower and deacclimated more rapidly than the other cultivars.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bao Nie, Bo-Han Jiao, Li-Fei Ren, Polina D. Gudkova, Wen-Li Chen, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Stipa shanxiensis is a cryptic species within Stipa grandis that closely resembles S. grandis morphologically, but is phylogenetically more related to S. baicalensis and S. krylovii. Two specific characteristics, longer cauline ligules with filiform apex and shorter hairs on the adaxial surface of the cauline uppermost leaves, are stable and useful for distinguishing between S. shanxiensis and S. grandis.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lulu Zhang, Liuyi Yang, Huirong Zhou, Lifei Ren, Wenchao Li, Wenming Bai, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: The study found that mowing and N fertilization have different effects on C allocation priorities and C accumulation in different plant functional groups and species in a temperate grassland. Mowing enhances C accumulation in forbs, while N fertilization enhances C accumulation in grasses. These contrasting responses may explain the observation that mowing and N fertilization have no impacts on C accumulation at the community level.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jialong Li, Jiarui Yuan, Yuhong Li, Huilun Sun, Tingting Ma, Junling Huai, Wenqiang Yang, Wenhao Zhang, Rongcheng Lin
Summary: The CDC48 complex plays a crucial role in regulating ubiquitin-dependent degradation of intra-chloroplast proteins in response to oxidative stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Defects in the CDC48 complex impair the ubiquitination and degradation of RbcL and AtpB proteins, leading to the accumulation of ubiquitinated chloroplast proteins. Functional analysis demonstrates that the CDC48 complex is required for plant tolerance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress.
Article
Soil Science
Ren Bai, Longyu Hou, Wen-Hao Zhang, Anhui Ge, Yingluo Luo, Wenming Bai
Summary: This study investigated the response of rhizosphere prokaryotic and fungal communities to the growth stages and irrigation regimes of oats in a semi-arid region. The results showed that prokaryotic diversity was primarily regulated by oat growth stages, while fungal diversity was mainly increased by irrigation regimes. All prokaryotic phyla responded significantly to oat growth stages, while the composition of fungal taxa was largely regulated by irrigation regimes.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Qingmei Li, Wenming Bai, Yumeng Guo, Jun Sheng, Yujia Yuan, Wen-Hao Zhang, Meng Zhou
Summary: The study measured root traits and leaf nitrogen resorption efficiency of seven herbaceous species in a long-term mowing experimental platform. The results showed that mowing had little effect on root traits of tall and short species, but exerted opposite effects on leaf nitrogen resorption efficiency of the two plant groups.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tianzuo Wang, Jing Wang, Li Chen, Jiaying Yao, Zan Yuan, Dong Zhang, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that the 3D chromatin architecture plays a crucial role in various biological processes in plants. However, little is known about the 3D chromatin architecture of the legume Medicago truncatula and its role in response to mineral nutrient deficiency. In this study, using high-resolution chromosome conformation capture sequencing, the 3D genome structure of M. truncatula was identified, and its reorganization under phosphorus deficiency was analyzed. The findings reveal that the reorganization of 3D chromatin architecture is associated with transcriptional regulation to enhance phosphorus uptake and mobilization in Medicago truncatula.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tianzuo Wang, Jing Wang, Di Zhang, Li Chen, Min Liu, Xinxin Zhang, Wolfgang Schmidt, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Fe deficiency is a limiting factor for plant growth, but the mechanisms regulating Fe acquisition and utilization are not fully known. This study reveals that CIPK12 regulates riboflavin biosynthesis and Fe-deficiency responses in plants, thereby affecting Fe accumulation and photosynthetic efficiency.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rui Tian, Xiaohan Sun, Cuimei Liu, Jinfang Chu, Mingui Zhao, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs play a role in regulating plant tolerance to abiotic stress. This study characterized a salt stress-responsive lncRNA, MtCIR1, from M. truncatula and found that it negatively regulates salt stress response by affecting ABA metabolism and signaling during seed germination and Na+ transport under salt stress during seedling growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings advance our understanding of the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in plant response to salt stress.
Article
Ecology
Xiufeng Zhai, Peng Lu, Ruifang Zhang, Wenming Bai, Wen-Hao Zhang, Ji Chen, Qiuying Tian
Summary: Mowing as a grassland utilization strategy affects soil nutrient status by removing plant biomass. This study investigated the impacts of various mowing regimes on soil phosphorus (P) fractions, P accumulation in plants and litters, and the mechanisms of mowing in regulating P cycling in grassland ecosystems. The results showed that mowing increased soil dissolvable P concentrations, contributing to increased P accumulation in plants. Short-term mowing enhanced P cycling through increased root exudation-evoked microbial enzyme activity, while long-term mowing increased P cycling by promoting carbon allocation to roots and greater microbial metabolic activity. These findings advance our understanding of soil P dynamics under mowing and contribute to resource-efficient grassland management.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lulu Zhang, Yuting Li, Wenming Bai, Hans Lambers, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: In this study, we investigated the effects of mowing on the plant community of a temperate steppe in northern China. The results showed that long-term mowing increased species richness and had a negative impact on overall plant biomass, but differentially affected the growth of forbs and grasses. In addition, mowing influenced the microbial community and nutrient acquisition strategies of dominant species. These findings highlight the importance of physiological and morphological strategies in shaping plant responses to mowing in temperate grasslands.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ren Bai, Hang-Wei Hu, Meng Zhou, Jun Sheng, Chao Xiong, Yumeng Guo, Yujia Yuan, Longyu Hou, Wen-Hao Zhang, Wenming Bai
Summary: Long-term mowing can lead to stunted plant growth and reduced grassland productivity. The responses of leaf/root-associated bacterial communities to mowing were examined in a temperate grassland. The diversity of bacterial communities varied depending on plant traits and mowing treatment. The study sheds light on the complex relationships between leaf/root microbiomes and plant traits.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mingui Zhao, Rui Tian, Xiaohan Sun, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in regulating plant response to environmental stress. In this study, a cold-responsive lncRNA, MtCIR2, was identified and found to positively regulate freezing tolerance in Medicago truncatula through regulating the expression of MtCBF/DREB1 genes and glycometabolism. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant response to cold stress.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianzuo Wang, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: Due to adverse climatic and edaphic conditions in northern China, lack of elite alfalfa varieties and poor field management, the development of alfalfa pasture in China is limited. Therefore, a comprehensive system with Chinese characteristics, including breeding, field management, harvest and processing, should be implemented to promote the sustainable development of alfalfa pasture in China.
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lulu Zhang, Wenming Bai, Yunhai Zhang, Hans Lambers, Wen-Hao Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of mowing on grassland ecosystem stability and finds that increasing mowing duration and decreasing stubble height can enhance stability. It also highlights the important role of plant defence traits in stabilizing ecosystem functions under human-induced environmental changes.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Agronomy
Wen-Hao Zhang, Long Li, Feike Dijkstra, Biao Zhu, Wenming Bai, Qiuying Tian