Article
Plant Sciences
Yueying Liu, Xinyu Wang, Zongjian Li, Jing Tu, Ya-nan Lu, Xiaohang Hu, Qingzhu Zhang, Zhimin Zheng
Summary: This study identified the RcMYB106 transcription factor as a key regulator of capsule spine development in castor through genetic analysis. It was found that a deletion or a single nucleotide polymorphism in the RcMYB106 gene led to the spineless capsule phenotype. The study also proposed a potential regulatory mechanism involving the downstream gene RcWIN1, but further experimentation is needed.
Article
Agronomy
Yun Kang, Amaia Seminario, Michael Udvardi, Paolo Annicchiarico
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationship between leaf morphophysiological traits and adaptive response in alfalfa, and it provided support for breeding strategies. The results showed that cultivars specifically adapted to drought-prone environments exhibited better drought tolerance and smaller leaves compared to those specifically adapted to moisture-favourable environments. In addition, the study identified some inexpensive morphophysiological traits that could be used for early selection targeting drought-prone environments.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aayudh Das, Anoob Prakash, Natalie Dedon, Alex Doty, Muniba Siddiqui, Jill C. Preston
Summary: The distribution of Poideae species is partially determined by their tolerance to aridity and above-freezing cold, but this tolerance is not uniformly related to variation in stomatal traits.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. He, K. A. Steige, V Kovacova, U. Goebel, M. Bouzid, P. D. Keightley, A. Beyer, J. de Meaux
Summary: The study suggests that gene expression differences in response to dehydration stress are influenced by genetic regulation, with the direction of plasticity affecting the effects of gene variants. Evolution of gene expression in Arabidopsis lyrata tends to amplify stress response, while in Arabidopsis halleri it tends to mitigate stress response.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ricardo Mir, Ignacio Romero, Sara Gonzalez-Orenga, P. Pablo Ferrer-Gallego, Emilio Laguna, Monica Boscaiu, Lacramioara Oprica, Marius-Nicusor Grigore, Oscar Vicente
Summary: Limonium angustebracteatum is a halophyte endemic to the E and SE Iberian Peninsula with salt glands that excrete excess salts. Under water and salt stress, the anatomy of the leaves changes and salt accumulates in the foliar tissue. Potassium homeostasis plays a significant role in the plant's tolerance mechanism.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yue Sun, Juan-Ying Zhao, Yi-Tong Li, Pei-Gen Zhang, Shu-Ping Wang, Jun Guo, Jun Chen, Yong-Bin Zhou, Ming Chen, You-Zhi Ma, Zheng-Wu Fang, Zhao-Shi Xu
Summary: In this study, 180 soybean C2 domain genes were identified, falling into three distinct groups with diverged gene structure and conserved functional domain. Gene transcript and transgenic analysis revealed that GmC2-148 had higher expression levels under salt and drought stresses, showing various stress responses and enhanced stress tolerance in soybean. The results indicate that C2 domain genes play crucial roles in response to salt and drought stresses, offering a genome-wide analysis of the C2 domain family in soybean.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Kate M. Johnson, Leila R. Fletcher
Summary: The pit membrane thickness and overall lignification degree are the driving factors for drought resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Alberto Ramirez-Valiente, Aida Sole-Medina, Juan Jose Robledo-Arnuncio, Joaquin Ortego
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of climate-driven selection in Mediterranean oaks, even in the presence of high rates of gene flow. Ecophysiological traits related to leaf morphology, physiology, and growth have evolved in drought-prone environments.
Article
Agronomy
Austin Himes, Paul Emerson, Rose McClung, Heidi Renninger, Todd Rosenstiel, Brian Stanton
Summary: Intensively managed poplar plantations have the potential to provide renewable biomass for bioenergy production, with clonal varieties being crucial for productivity on water-limited, marginal agricultural land. While carbon isotope discrimination is commonly used for selecting drought-resistant varieties, this study found that other traits like abaxial stomatal density were more accurate predictors of varietal performance under drought stress. A composite of all nine variables proved to be the best indicator of drought resistance in hybrid poplar varieties.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zeinab Amiri Ghanatsaman, Ahmad Ayatolahi Mehrgardi, Hojjat Asadollahpour Nanaei, Ali Esmailizadeh
Summary: During animal domestication, both natural and artificial selection lead to variation in allele frequencies. This study investigated genomic variation in 140 goat individuals from different regions, identifying candidate genes related to adaptability to harsh conditions and milk production. The findings provide valuable genetic resources for enhancing goat production and environmental adaptation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claude Welcker, Nadir Abusamra Spencer, Olivier Turc, Italo Granato, Romain Chapuis, Delphine Madur, Katia Beauchene, Brigitte Gouesnard, Xavier Draye, Carine Palaffre, Josiane Lorgeou, Stephane Melkior, Colin Guillaume, Thomas Presterl, Alain Murigneux, Randall J. Wisser, Emilie J. Millet, Fred van Eeuwijk, Alain Charcosset, Francois Tardieu
Summary: Phenomic and genomic approaches are required to evaluate breeding strategies. The analysis of 65 years of genetic progress in maize shows that breeders have selected traits with stable effects on yield but not for adaptive traits. Simple physiological traits have been linked to yield gains, while traits related to stress adaptation have remained unchanged. New breeding strategies may be needed to exploit alleles governing physiological adaptive traits for yield stability under climate change.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jie Ye, Xin Wang, Wenqian Wang, Huiyang Yu, Guo Ai, Changxing Li, Pengya Sun, Xianyu Wang, Hanxia Li, Bo Ouyang, Junhong Zhang, Yuyang Zhang, Heyou Han, James J. Giovannoni, Zhangjun Fei, Zhibiao Ye
Summary: Tomato yield is an important agronomic trait, and this study identified key genetic loci associated with yield through comprehensive genome-wide association analysis, revealing some genes related to tomato domestication and improvement. Furthermore, a candidate gene related to leaf stomata formation was functionally characterized, providing valuable information for genetics and breeding of tomato.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kelly L. L. Kerr, Jaycie C. C. Fickle, William R. L. Anderegg
Summary: Intraspecific variation in functional traits can influence tree species' drought resistance, but it is still unknown whether the variation is due to genotype, environment, or their interactions. Understanding the drivers of intraspecific trait variation and its mediation of drought response can enhance predictions of species' response to future drought.
Review
Plant Sciences
Rentao Xiong, Shuo Liu, Michael J. Considine, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Hon-Ming Lam, Yinglong Chen
Summary: Drought stress is a significant limiting factor for soybean growth and production globally. Improving genetic traits related to water and nutrient uptake efficiency is crucial for enhancing tolerance and promoting sustainable and resilient production. This review focuses on identifying quantitative traits and genes associated with water and nutrient absorption to enhance understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms in soybean. It also highlights the importance of genes controlling root system architecture as targets for breeding strategies to improve drought tolerance in soybean, discussing candidate genes regulating key root traits and responses to water stress. Progress in understanding specific genes like GmACX1, GmMS, and GmPEPCK is discussed in relation to developing a system-based platform for genetic enhancement of drought tolerance in soybean.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Eleinis Avila-Lovera, Klaus Winter, Gregory R. Goldsmith
Summary: Evolutionary relationships play a significant role in shaping plant physiological and structural traits. The study reviews research on phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relation traits. It found stronger phylogenetic signal in structural traits and correlated evolution among traits related to water movement efficiency and hydraulic safety. Considering evolutionary relationships could enhance our understanding of traits comparison, coordination, and variation with the environment.
Article
Ecology
Judith Trunschke, Nina Sletvold, Jon Agren
Article
Ecology
Thorsten Thiergart, Paloma Duran, Thomas Ellis, Nathan Vannier, Ruben Garrido-Oter, Eric Kemen, Fabrice Roux, Carlos Alonso-Blanco, Jon Agren, Paul Schulze-Lefert, Stephane Hacquard
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Elodie Chapurlat, Iris Le Ronce, Jon agren, Nina Sletvold
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Giulia Zacchello, Mariona Vinyeta, Jon Agren
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Lawrence D. Harder, Shane A. Richards, Jon Agren, Steven D. Johnson
Summary: This study reveals that male-male interference during pollen dispersal can significantly limit plant-siring success by affecting pollen pickup, transport, and deposition. Competitive pollinaria on bees reduce pickup of additional pollinaria, double the overall proportion of lost donor pollen, and decrease total pollen export. Interference specifically increases loss of donor pollen between flower visits and variation in deposition among trials, potentially reducing pollen contact with stigmas and pollen deposition.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Mao-Lun Weng, Jon Agren, Eric Imbert, Henning Nottebrock, Matthew T. Rutter, Charles B. Fenster
Summary: The study utilized Fisher's Geometric Model to investigate the role of mutations in environmental adaptation. Through field experiments under different environmental conditions, it was found that the impact of mutations on adaptation depends on the genotype's specific environment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hampus Petren, Per Torang, Jon Agren, Magne Friberg
Summary: The study compared flower size and floral scent emission in different populations of Arabis alpina, and found that self-compatible populations had smaller and less scented flowers compared to self-incompatible populations. However, there was no significant difference in flower size and scent emission between self-compatible populations with high and low capacity for autonomous self-pollination. Floral scent composition varied between self-compatible and self-incompatible populations, as well as among populations within each category.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas James Ellis, Froukje M. Postma, Christopher G. Oakley, Jon Agren
Summary: Resources used for survival cannot be used for increasing fecundity, but the extent of this trade-off depends on overall resource status. Adaptation to different environments may involve the evolution of traits that enhance individuals' ability to acquire resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Froukje M. Postma, Jon Agren
Summary: This study examines the cascading effects of seed dormancy on the expression of subsequent life-history traits and fitness in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results show that seed dormancy affects trait expression and fitness components across the life cycle and suggest that among-year variation in the incidence of drought during the germination period should be considered when predicting the consequences of climatic change for population growth and evolution.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Grey Monroe, Thanvi Srikant, Pablo Carbonell-Bejerano, Claude Becker, Mariele Lensink, Moises Exposito-Alonso, Marie Klein, Julia Hildebrandt, Manuela Neumann, Daniel Kliebenstein, Mao-Lun Weng, Eric Imbert, Jon Agren, Matthew T. Rutter, Charles B. Fenster, Detlef Weigel
Summary: This study challenges the prevailing paradigm that mutations occur randomly by demonstrating that mutations occur less frequently in functionally constrained regions of the genome in Arabidopsis. It also shows that epigenomic and physical features explain the majority of the variance in the genome-wide pattern of mutation bias surrounding genes. The findings suggest that mutation bias is the primary force driving patterns of sequence evolution in natural accessions.
Article
Ecology
Giulia Zacchello, Svenja Bomers, Cecilia Bohme, Froukje M. Postma, Jon Agren
Summary: Seed dormancy is a key life-history trait in plants, and its strength affects the timing of germination. There is continental-wide genetic variation in seed dormancy, which is related to climate and suitable conditions for seedling establishment. In this study, Italian populations of Arabidopsis thaliana showed stronger seed dormancy compared to Fennoscandian populations. Seed dormancy varied widely within both regions. Among Fennoscandian populations, seed dormancy tended to increase with higher summer temperature and lower precipitation at the site of population origin. However, there was no significant association between mean seed dormancy and climate in Italian populations. The weak correlation between population mean seed dormancy and flowering time suggests that these two traits can evolve independently.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Paloma Duran, Thomas James Ellis, Thorsten Thiergart, Jon Agren, Stephane Hacquard
Summary: Understanding the contribution of climate and soil factors to microbiome variation and local adaptation in plants is important. In this study, an experiment was conducted using microbial inocula, soil matrices, and plant genotypes from two natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana in Europe. The results showed that seasonal changes in temperature, day length, and light intensity had a strong influence on the adaptive differentiation between the populations, while the effects of soil factors were weaker. Furthermore, differences in below-ground soil characteristics were more important than climate differences in shaping the rhizosphere microbiome.
Article
Ecology
Hampus Petren, Hanna Thosteman, Marc Stift, Per Toreang, Jon Agren, Magne Friberg
Summary: Mating system shifts from outcrossing to selfing are common in plant evolution. Selfing reduces parental conflict over seed provisioning, potentially leading to postzygotic, asymmetric, reproductive isolation between populations. In a crossing experiment with Arabis alpina, we found strong reproductive isolation between self-compatible and self-incompatible populations, resulting in smaller and less viable seeds. Differences in parental conflict also influenced seed mass, with larger seeds produced when the paternal plant had the stronger genome. These findings suggest that differences in mating system and parental conflict can contribute to strong post-pollination reproductive barriers and speciation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oystein H. Opedal, W. Scott Armbruster, Thomas F. Hansen, Agnes Holstad, Christophe Pelabon, Stefan Andersson, Diane R. Campbell, Christina M. Caruso, Lynda F. Delph, Christopher G. Eckert, Asa Lankinen, Greg M. Walter, Jon Agren, Geir H. Bolstad
Summary: Understanding the causes and limits of population divergence in phenotypic traits is important for evolutionary biology and can predict adaptation to environmental change. This study analyzed a large database of plant populations and found that evolutionary divergence scaled positively with genetic variability within populations. Additionally, vegetative traits showed greater divergence compared to reproductive traits. These results suggest that there is predictability and genetic constraints in trait divergence.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher G. Oakley, Douglas W. Schemske, John K. McKay, Jon Agren
Summary: This study on the self-pollinating Arabidopsis thaliana found that local adaptation involves multiple loci, which have significant effects on average fitness. The results also indicate that both genetic trade-offs and conditional neutrality play important roles in local adaptation.
