Processing bodies (P-bodies) are ribonucleoprotein condensates that regulate RNA processing and storage. Although constitutively present in most cells, their size and composition change dynamically in response to developmental and environmental cues. However, mechanisms governing P-body assembly and remodeling remain poorly understood. Here we show that in Arabidopsis, SMG7 interacts with the eIF4A helicases and recruits them to P-bodies. eIF4As limit P-body condensation and also restrict stress granule (SG) formation under heat stress. We further identify meiotic bodies (M-bodies) as composite RNP granules with a P-body core surrounded by a SG-like shell. The SMG7-eIF4A module regulates the recruitment of the meiosis-specific protein TDM1 into M-bodies, thereby influencing meiotic exit and plant reproduction. Our findings suggest that SMG7 functions as an adaptor protein that recruits client proteins into P-bodies and, together with eIF4A, forms a regulatory module that controls P-body composition and maintains their size homeostasis.

Introduction. Thanatephorus sp. is a basidiomycete, with a broad host range, capable of forming survival structures and exhibiting high genetic variability. Objective. To characterize the symptomatology caused by the phytopathogen Thanatephorus sp. in potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops. Materials and methods. The study was conducted from June to December 2023 at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede del Atlántico, Turrialba, Costa Rica. Vegetative and reproductive plant tissues were collected from potato plants showing symptoms associated with Thanatephorus sp. The isolates were purified, and the pathogen was cultured on artificial media. The fungus was further purified and inoculated into soil and applied via foliar spraying to potato plants in order to observe disease symptom development. Leaves, stems, and other plant parts exhibiting abnormal lesions were evaluated. Results. Thanatephorus sp. was primarily isolated from the foliage of potato plants and successfully grew in vitro on PDA (potato dextrose agar). The fungus exhibited branched morphology consistent with basidiomycetes and formed sexual reproductive structures, including basidiospores. Hyphal fusion (anastomosis) was observed, contributing to increased genetic variability of the pathogen. Symptom development began with small necrotic lesions on the leaf blade, surrounded by chlorotic halos; these lesions coalesced, leading to complete foliar tissue necrosis. Lesions were also observed on stems, roots, and flowers. Survival structures (sclerotia) produced by Thanatephorus sp. were identified. Conclusions. The phytopathogen Thanatephorus sp. causes damage to leaves, stems, and tubers, and produces survival structures that facilitate its dissemination. Its symptomatology may be confused with that of other phytopathogens.

Understanding the impact of plant invasion on multitrophic community dynamics and coexistence requires widespread and frequent monitoring. Deep learning can be used to automate the measurement of indicators of ecological interactions and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we used a consumer-grade drone paired with deep learning to assess floral density in meadows invaded by the dog-strangling vine Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. (Gentianales: Apocynaceae) at the Rouge National Urban Park in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada. Alongside these measurements, observations of pollination and herbivory was completed on Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) G.L.Nesom (Asterales: Asteraceae), a self-incompatible, pollinator-dependent native plant that experiences herbivory by a widespread specialist weevil, Anthonomusrufipes LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Our results suggest that as invasion progresses, pollination services are reduced due to the decrease in floral density which suppresses pollinator abundance and activity. Conversely, while herbivory had a strong effect on plant reproduction, it was density independent and thus unaffected by direct effects of invasion, but rather indirect through reduced host abundance. By pairing deep learning with drone technology, we detected patterns consistent with a reduction of pollinator habitat quality along the invasion gradient. Furthermore, we find that invasion appears to suppress plant reproduction by means of separate processes that are either independent of or dependent on pollination. Overall, the results suggest that invasion reduces pollinator habitat quality while simultaneously resulting in ecological conditions consistent with the reproductive impairment of late-season flowering resident plant species.

As sessile organisms, plants have evolved sophisticated adaptive strategies to withstand fluctuating and often unpredictable environments. These strategies optimize reproductive traits, enabling plants to sustain reproduction under adverse conditions. Crucially, this environmentally driven reproductive plasticity not only ensures species survival but also offers avenues to enhance crop yield and quality. Addressing a critical gap in understanding how reproductive physiology integrates environmental adaptation, this review synthesizes recent advances on how external signals (e.g., light, temperature) interact with endogenous regulators (e.g., phytohormones, transcription factors, small peptides, receptor-like kinases) to modulate plant reproductive processes. It encompasses the full spectrum of reproductive biology, spanning floral transition, floral organ specification, gametogenesis, and fertilization. Furthermore, we discuss the potential applications of reproductive biology in future crop breeding and outline key research directions to advance the field.

Pollen identification and quantification are essential in ecological and evolutionary research to address plant-pollinator relationships, pollination services, and plant reproduction. Research into pollen transfer patterns has been mainly based on traditional light microscopy, however, it is time consuming, labour intensive, and requires taxonomic expertise. High-throughput methods allow automated pollen identification across large temporal and spatial scales. This study compares the accuracy of species identification and quantification of their relative pollen abundance using traditional microscopy, and two high-throughput methods, namely multispectral imaging flow cytometry (MIFC) and metabarcoding. Method performance was tested using artificial samples with known pollen species composition and pollen samples from pollinators with unknown pollen composition. After checking the agreement against the line of identity, the coefficient of determination (R2) values of linear models between the method estimates were compared. Metabarcoding performed best at identifying the taxa from artificial mixtures, while the two other methods assessed the relative abundance most accurately when there was information about species identity. Comparability between methods was overall low when assessing pollen composition on pollinators. To acquire both pollen identity and relative abundance, we recommend a metabarcoding-guided MIFC analysis that can be used as a high throughput approach for pollen research at large spatial and temporal scales.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used in industrial, agricultural, and consumer products and are increasingly detected in terrestrial and floral environments that are critical for pollinators. However, the mechanistic and ecological consequences of TiO2 NPs exposure on pollinator health remain poorly understood. Here, we present a multi-level ecotoxicological assessment of dietary TiO2 NPs exposure in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), integrating colony performance, gut microbiota composition, and host transcriptomic responses. Using both environmentally relevant and worst-case concentrations, we conducted short-term (3-d) and chronic (15-d) exposures to evaluate physiological disruption, microbial dynamics, and potential compensatory or recovery processes. TiO2 NPs ingestion reduced worker survival and syrup consumption, delayed oviposition, and shortened egg development, indicating impaired colony performance. Gut microbiota exhibited pronounced dysbiosis after 3 d, followed by partial converged toward control-like profiles after 15 d, suggesting microbial potential resilience and compensatory restructuring. Transcriptomic analyses revealed dose-dependent activation of immune, oxidative stress, calcium signaling, and programmed cell death pathways. Correlative analyses identified associations between specific microbial taxa, including Apibacter and Klebsiella, and host gene expression linked to immunity, detoxification, and metabolism, highlighting coordinated microbe-host responses under TiO2 NPs stress. This study provides novel mechanistic insight into how engineered nanoparticles affect pollinators across biological scales, from colony physiology and microbial ecology to molecular pathways, and emphasizes the practical importance of safeguarding pollinator health for both wild plant reproduction and crop pollination. The findings advance understanding of nanoparticle ecotoxicology and support evidence-based strategies for sustainable nanomaterial use and pollinator protection.

Warm, dry environments create living conditions that challenge plant growth, reproduction and survival. Plants in these environments have evolved adaptive strategies to enhance water-use efficiency and ensure reproductive success, two of which are annuality and C4 photosynthesis. However, life history variation is rarely included in large-scale studies of plant diversity, and the extent to which these traits coevolve and are jointly selected for is not known. To address this, we used Pagel's models of independent and correlated evolution for over 4000 species of grasses (Poaceae), while accounting for evolutionary rate heterogeneity and potential type I statistical errors. We found that there are more C4 than C3 annuals and that C4 origins predate evolution of annuality, but no support for correlated evolution between the two traits. Our results indicate that any habitat or trait similarities (e.g. small seeds, fast growth) between annuals and C4 species reflect independent adaptations to similar environmental conditions or are contingent on the two traits themselves, rather than the result of evolutionary or functional links between them. Our results further highlight the importance of appropriate null model specification for testing evolutionary hypotheses across large, old clades.

Insects are the most diverse group of organisms on Earth and play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. This study aims to examine the role of insects in supporting ecosystem stability and biodiversity. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach through a literature review of relevant scientific journals, books, and research reports. The results indicate that insects perform essential ecological functions as pollinators, biological control agents, decomposers, and components of food chains. Pollinating insects, such as the honeybee (Apis cerana), play a significant role in enhancing plant reproduction and sustaining ecosystem productivity. In addition, predatory and parasitoid insects contribute to natural pest control, while detritivorous insects support decomposition processes and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, insects serve as important indicators of environmental health. The decline in insect populations due to human activities—including excessive pesticide use, climate change, and habitat destruction—can disrupt ecosystem balance and reduce biodiversity. In conclusion, insects play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem stability. Therefore, conservation efforts and sustainable environmental management are necessary to preserve insect populations and their ecological functions

Jasmonic acid (JA) is directly involved in a transcriptional activation loop where the JA signaling transcription factor, FmMYC2 (a bHLH protein), activates the biosynthesis gene FmLOX6 to promote pollen adhesion, germination, and subsequent pollen tube growth. Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a critical role in plant reproduction; yet, its functions during pollen-stigma interaction remain largely unexplored. Transcriptomic analysis of pollinated stigmas in Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the JA biosynthesis pathway. Exogenous JA application to stigmas promoted pollen adhesion, germination, and tube growth, whereas inhibition of JA biosynthesis or JA transport in stigmas suppressed these processes. Similarly, in in vitro pollen germination assays, exogenous JA treatment enhanced pollen germination and tube elongation, while inhibition of endogenous JA biosynthesis in pollen reduced both parameters. Combined treatments with JA and transport inhibitors confirmed that functional JA transport is required for pollen germination. Further transcriptomic analysis showed that both FmMYC2 a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor in the JA signaling network and FmLOX6 a lipoxygenase involved in JA biosynthesis were significantly upregulated during pollen germination. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated repression of either FmMYC2 or FmLOX6 inhibited pollen tube growth. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that FmMYC2 directly activates FmLOX6 expression by binding to a G-box motif in its promoter. Our findings reveal a positive feedback loop in which JA signaling via FmMYC2 promotes JA biosynthesis through FmLOX6, thereby enhancing pollen germination and tube growth in F. mandshurica. This study offers new insights into JA-mediated pollination mechanisms in tree species and provides fundamental information for breeding improved varieties.

Plant community micronutrients mediate the soil carbon stock by altering plant growth, reproduction and survival trade-offs

The transcription factor BOLITA / ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 2 / DORNRÖSCHEN-LIKE (BOL/ESR2/DRNL) interacts with the glutaredoxins ROXY1 and ROXY2 during floral organ development in Arabidopsis.

New insights into plant gametogenesis: From mechanism to application.

Seed dormancy is crucial for plant reproduction, ensuring that germination occurs under favorable environmental conditions. In rice, moderate seed dormancy reduces the risk of pre-harvest sprouting, thereby minimizing yield losses and preserving seed quality. In this study, we cloned the seed dormancy gene ObRc from African wild rice (Oryza barthii) accession W1411. ObRc encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. In African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima), a 2-bp insertion in the ObRc coding region introduces a premature stop codon, resulting in a loss-of-function allele. We demonstrate that ObRc regulates seed dormancy by modulating zeaxanthin biosynthesis (an abscisic acid [ABA] precursor), thereby influencing endogenous ABA levels. Additionally, ObRc influences seed coat pigmentation by regulating the expression of multiple genes in anthocyanidin biosynthesis, ultimately impacting both seed coat color and permeability. The functional ObRc allele is preserved in the vast majority of African cultivated rice accessions, likely because it confers moderate dormancy, which enhances environmental adaptation in West African climates and contributes to the preservation of seed nutritional value. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of ObRc provides valuable insights for improving PHS resistance and enhancing the nutritional value of rice through breeding.

In arid ecosystems, plant reproduction is strongly constrained by water availability, yet individuals within the same population can differ in reproductive output despite experiencing similar climatic conditions. Understanding how spatial variation in water availability translates into differences in growth and reproduction is essential for predicting population persistence under increasing aridity. We tested the hypothesis that spatial heterogeneity in soil water availability generates individual differences in cumulative water stress that influence physiological performance, growth, and flowering in Myrcianthes coquimbensis , an endangered shrub of the Atacama Desert. Over a 15-month period, we monitored soil water potential, predawn leaf water potential, photosynthesis, vegetative growth, and reproduction in a natural population, where individuals were classified based on recent reproductive history as annual-flowering or sporadic-flowering. Cumulative water stress during the growing season was quantified using the Water Stress Integral (WSI), which integrates the magnitude and duration of plant water deficit. Soil water availability was spatially heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity was reflected in consistent differences in plant water status among individuals. Although photosynthesis declined with decreasing plant water status in both reproductive groups, annual-flowering individuals maintained higher mean photosynthetic rates and experienced significantly lower WSI than sporadic-flowering plants. Higher WSI was associated with reduced relative growth rates and marginally lower annual growth. Flowering probability increased sharply as WSI became less negative and exceeded 50% at approximately −90 MPa, indicating a threshold-like relationship between cumulative stress and reproduction. These results show that spatial heterogeneity in soil water availability within a single population can generate individual differences in WSI that translate into nonlinear variation in growth and flowering. By integrating short-term physiological responses over time, WSI provides a mechanistic link between environmental variability and reproductive outcomes in dryland plants.

Living in a society is essential for many animals, including humans and honeybees. In a society, individuals work together to achieve common goals. Honeybees, for example, pollinate flowers, which is an important part of plant reproduction. Bees communicate about the location of flowers using a special “waggle dance”. Honeybees also rely on chemical signals to motivate colony members to search for food. The conditions in the environment, such as light, temperature, and the availability of flowers, influence their behavior. Honeybees help humans by pollinating many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds we eat. Understanding how bees work together to find food and help their colony can help us appreciate their importance to both nature and humans.

Plant endoglucanases of glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GH9), which cleave 1,4-β-glucosidic bonds in glycan chains, have been shown to play pivotal roles in cellulose degradation, as well as in the relaxation or construction of cell walls during diverse plant growth and developmental processes. However, their specific functions in plant sexual reproduction remain unclear. In this study, we systematically analyzed expression profiles of the GH9 gene family using in vivo observations of GFP-translational fusion proteins. Our results revealed that numerous GH9 genes were expressed across both vegetative and reproductive tissues: 5 in stomata, 12 in roots, 11 in mature pollen and 15 in mature ovules or seeds. Further analysis of reproductive tissues uncovered distinct expression specificities: GH9A4 as pollen-specific, GH9B6 as sperm cell-specific, GH9B12 as central cell- and endosperm cell-specific, GH9B11 as enriched in pollen and chalazal endosperm, and GH9B8 as vascular tissue-preferential. Additionally, GFP signals of up to 7 GH9 members were detected in the filiform apparatus, while 12 GH9 members showed signals in integuments and seed coats—hinting at diverse GH9 functions in reproduction. Furthermore, we conducted gene editing and phenotypic analysis on two subsets of GH9 genes highly expressed in pollen. While in vivo pollen germination and growth were unaffected, in vitro germination rates decreased significantly when GH9B5, GH9B7, and GH9A4 functionally deficient. Taken together, this study highlights the potential roles of the GH9 family in pollen germination and establishes a foundation for future functional analyses aimed at elucidating the putative roles of the GH9 family in plant reproduction.

Declieuxia fruticosa produces branches with inflorescences that simultaneously bear floral buds, distylous flowers, and fruits with post-floral pericarpial nectaries (PPNs). These branches attract ants, pollinators, herbivores, and nectar thieves. Ants feeding on PPNs may act as plant bodyguards against herbivores, but they can also influence floral visitors, potentially generating both costs and benefits for plant reproduction. However, the net effects of these multitrophic interactions on plant fitness remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that ant presence at PPNs enhances fruit production and improves fruit morphological traits in D. fruticosa by repelling herbivores and nectar thieves, while not interfering with legitimate pollinators. Field experiments and observations were conducted in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil, manipulating ant presence and absence. We quantified fruit number, weight, width, and length, and evaluated stigma receptivity, pollen availability, and the assemblage of floral visitors and herbivores. Our results demonstrate that ant presence at PPNs significantly increases fruit set and all evaluated morphological traits. Fruits produced in the presence of ants were, on average, 25% larger and 2.4 times heavier than those from ant-excluded plants. Moreover, ant presence was associated with a 2.9-fold reduction in the frequency of nectar thieves and a 65% increase in visitation frequency by Apis mellifera, the main pollinator. These findings indicate that ant-mediated protection against herbivores and floral exploiters, without substantial interference in pollination, directly enhances plant fitness. Overall, our study highlights the role of ants in shaping plant reproductive success through direct and indirect multitrophic interactions.

The functions of approximately one-third of the proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana remain unknown. It is likely that some of the genes encoding these proteins are essential, and thus indispensable for the survival of the plant; furthermore, these genes would be included in the minimum viable set required for plant life. Evolutionarily conserved single copy genes in flowering plants are enriched in essential housekeeping functions. Building on this observation, we designed a reverse genetic screen that focuses on evolutionarily conserved single copy Arabidopsis genes of unknown function with predominant expression in meristematic cells. This approach identified a previously uncharacterized essential Arabidopsis gene, named as EARLY ABORTION 1 (EBO1). Mutation of the EBO1 locus disrupts gametophyte and/or early embryo development, resulting in defective ovule or seed development. A functional fluorescent EBO1 fusion protein was found to localize to the nucleus, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments detected an interaction between EBO1 and Nucleolar Protein 58 (NOP58) and proteins involved in RNA metabolism, chromatin modification, and transcription. The presented results open a new line of investigation into an evolutionarily conserved mechanism involved in the development of both male and female gametophytes as well as seeds.

Extrafloral nectaries influence Lepidopteran herbivore communities and network structure in the Brazilian Cerrado.

The ABCG subfamily is the largest branch of plant ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and plays key roles in lipid, sterol, and sporopollenin transport, influencing plant reproduction and environmental adaptation. However, their functions in wheat, particularly in photoperiod-temperature-sensitive genic male sterility (PTGMS), remain poorly understood. Here, we identified 176 wheat ABCG genes and classified them into pleiotropic drug resistance and white-brown complex homologue clades, with polyploidization and gene duplication driving family expansion. Integrated proteomic and spatiotemporal expression analyses identified five other stage-specific ABCG proteins under contrasting fertility conditions. Promoter and miRNA analyses revealed enrichment of photothermal-responsive cis-elements and seven negatively associated miRNAs. Functional assays showed that silencing TaABCG7B-8 impaired anther and pollen development, resulting in male sterility, while transcriptomic analysis suggested its involvement in ABC transporter-related pathways during fertility conversion. These findings provide insights into ABCG-mediated fertility regulation and suggest the potential utility of TaABCG7B-8 in PTGMS-based hybrid wheat breeding.