A dual role of strigolactones in phosphate acquisition and utilization in plants

MicroRNAs as potent regulators in nitrogen and phosphorus signaling transduction and their applications

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (Pi) are essential macronutrients that affect plant growth and development by influencing the molecular, metabolic, biochemical, and physiological responses at the local and whole levels in plants. N and Pi stresses suppress the physiological activities of plants, resulting in agricultural productivity losses and severely threatening food security. Accordingly, plants have elaborated diverse strategies to cope with N and Pi stresses through maintaining N and Pi homeostasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as potent regulators fine-tune N and Pi signaling transduction that are distinct and indivisible from each other. Specific signals, such as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), interact with miRNAs and add to the complexity of regulation. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate N and Pi signaling transduction aids in the breeding of plants with strong tolerance to N and Pi stresses and high N and Pi use efficiency by fine-tuning MIR genes or miRNAs. However, to date, there has been no detailed and systematic introduction and comparison of the functions of miRNAs in N and Pi signaling transduction from the perspective of miRNAs and their applications. Here, we summarized and discussed current advances in the involvement of miRNAs in N and Pi signaling transduction and highlighted that fine-tuning the MIR genes or miRNAs involved in maintaining N and Pi homeostasis might provide valuable sights for sustainable agriculture.

Strigolactone GR24-mediated mitigation of phosphorus deficiency through mycorrhization in aerobic rice

Strigolactones (SLs) are a new class of plant hormones that play a significant role in regulating various aspects of plant growth promotion, stress tolerance and influence the rhizospheric microbiome. GR24 is a synthetic SL analog used in scientific research to understand the effects of SL on plants and to act as a plant growth promoter. This study aimed to conduct hormonal seed priming at different concentrations of GR24 (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 µM with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation in selected aerobic rice varieties (CR Dhan 201, CR Dhan 204, CR Dhan 205, and CR Dhan 207), Kasalath-IC459373 (P-tolerant check), and IR-36 (P-susceptible check) under phosphorus (P)-deficient conditions to understand the enhancement of growth and priming effects in mycorrhization. Our findings showed that seed priming with 5.0 µM SL GR24 enhanced the performance of mycorrhization in CR Dhan 205 (88.91 %), followed by CR Dhan 204 and 207, and AMF sporulation in CR Dhan 201 (31.98 spores / 10 gm soil) and CR Dhan 207 (30.29 spores / 10 g soil), as well as rice growth. The study showed that the highly responsive variety CR Dhan 207 followed by CR Dhan 204, 205, 201, and Kasalath IC459373 showed higher P uptake than the control, and AMF treated with 5.0 µM SL GR24 varieties CR Dhan 205 followed by CR Dhan 207 and 204 showed the best performance in plant growth, chlorophyll content, and soil functional properties, such as acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and fluorescein diacetate activity (FDA). Overall, AMF intervention with SL GR24 significantly increased plant growth, soil enzyme activity, and uptake of P compared to the control. Under P-deficient conditions, seed priming with 5.0 µM strigolactone GR24 and AMF inoculum significantly increased selected aerobic rice growth, P uptake, and soil enzyme activities. Application of SLs formulations with AMF inoculum in selected aerobic rice varieties, CR Dhan 207, CR Dhan 204, and CR Dhan 205, will play an important role in mycorrhization, growth, and enhancement of P utilization under P- nutrient deficient conditions.

Identification and expression of strigolactone biosynthesis and signaling genes and the in vitro effects of strigolactones in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Strigolactones (SLs), synthesized in plant roots, play a dual role in modulating plant growth and development, and in inducing the germination of parasitic plant seeds and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere. As phytohormones, SLs are crucial in regulating branching and shaping plant architecture. Despite the significant impact of branching strategies on the yield performance of fruit crops, limited research has been conducted on SLs in these crops. In our study, we identified the transcript sequences of SL biosynthesis and signaling genes in olive (Olea europaea L.) using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. We predicted the corresponding protein sequences, analyzed their characteristics, and conducted molecular docking with bioinformatics tools. Furthermore, we quantified the expression levels of these genes in various tissues using quantitative real-time PCR. Our findings demonstrate the predominant expression of SL biosynthesis and signaling genes (OeD27, OeMAX3, OeMAX4, OeMAX1, OeD14, and OeMAX2) in roots and lateral buds, highlighting their importance in branching. Treatment with rac-GR24, an SL analog, enhanced the germination frequency of olive seeds in vitro compared with untreated embryos. Conversely, inhibition of SL biosynthesis with TIS108 increased lateral bud formation in a hard-to-root cultivar, underscoring the role of SLs as phytohormones in olives. These results suggest that modifying SL biosynthesis and signaling pathways could offer novel approaches for olive breeding, with potential applicability to other fruit crops.

The Complex Interplay between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Strigolactone: Mechanisms, Sinergies, Applications and Future Directions

Plants, the cornerstone of life on Earth, are constantly struggling with a number of challenges arising from both biotic and abiotic stressors. To overcome these adverse factors, plants have evolved complex defense mechanisms involving both a number of cell signaling pathways and a complex network of interactions with microorganisms. Among these interactions, the relationship between symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and strigolactones (SLs) stands as an important interplay that has a significant impact on increased resistance to environmental stresses and improved nutrient uptake and the subsequent enhanced plant growth. AMF establishes mutualistic partnerships with plants by colonizing root systems, and offers a range of benefits, such as increased nutrient absorption, improved water uptake and increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. SLs play a fundamental role in shaping root architecture, promoting the growth of lateral roots and regulating plant defense responses. AMF can promote the production and release of SLs by plants, which in turn promote symbiotic interactions due to their role as signaling molecules with the ability to attract beneficial microbes. The complete knowledge of this synergy has the potential to develop applications to optimize agricultural practices, improve nutrient use efficiency and ultimately increase crop yields. This review explores the roles played by AMF and SLs in plant development and stress tolerance, highlighting their individual contributions and the synergistic nature of their interaction.

Low phosphorus promotes NSP1-NSP2 heterodimerization to enhance strigolactone biosynthesis and regulate shoot and root architecture in rice

Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for plant development and metabolism, and plants have evolved ingenious mechanisms to overcome phosphate (Pi) starvation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of shoot and root architecture by low phosphorus conditions and the coordinated utilization of Pi and nitrogen remain largely unclear. Here, we show that Nodulation Signaling Pathway 1 (NSP1) and NSP2 regulate rice tiller number by promoting the biosynthesis of strigolactones (SLs), a class of phytohormones with fundamental effects on plant architecture and environmental responses. We found that NSP1 and NSP2 are induced by Oryza sativa PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE2 (OsPHR2) in response to low-Pi stress and form a complex to directly bind the promoters of SL biosynthesis genes, thus markedly increasing SL biosynthesis in rice. Interestingly, the NSP1/2-SL signaling module represses the expression of CROWN ROOTLESS 1 (CRL1), a newly identified early SL-responsive gene in roots, to restrain lateral root density under Pi deficiency. We also demonstrated that GR244DO treatment under normal conditions inhibits the expression of OsNRTs and OsAMTs to suppress nitrogen absorption but enhances the expression of OsPTs to promote Pi absorption, thus facilitating the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in rice. Importantly, we found that NSP1p:NSP1 and NSP2p:NSP2 transgenic plants show improved agronomic traits and grain yield under low- and medium-phosphorus conditions. Taken together, these results revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of SL biosynthesis and signaling in response to Pi starvation, providing genetic resources for improving plant architecture and nutrient-use efficiency in low-Pi environments.

Role of Strigolactones in the Host Specificity of Broomrapes and Witchweeds

Root parasitic plants of the Orobanchaceae, broomrapes and witchweeds, pose a severe problem to agriculture in Europe, Asia and especially Africa. These parasites are totally dependent on their host for survival, and therefore, their germination is tightly regulated by host presence. Indeed, their seeds remain dormant in the soil until a host root is detected through compounds called germination stimulants. Strigolactones (SLs) are the most important class of germination stimulants. They play an important role in planta as a phytohormone and, upon exudation from the root, function in the recruitment of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Plants exude mixtures of various different SLs, possibly to evade detection by these parasites and still recruit symbionts. Vice versa, parasitic plants must only respond to the SL composition that is exuded by their host, or else risk germination in the presence of non-hosts. Therefore, parasitic plants have evolved an entire clade of SL receptors, called HTL/KAI2s, to perceive the SL cues. It has been demonstrated that these receptors each have a distinct sensitivity and specificity to the different known SLs, which possibly allows them to recognize the SL-blend characteristic of their host. In this review, we will discuss the molecular basis of SL sensitivity and specificity in these parasitic plants through HTL/KAI2s and review the evidence that these receptors contribute to host specificity of parasitic plants.

A snapshot of the transcriptome of Medicago truncatula (Fabales: Fabaceae) shoots and roots in response to an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Plants simultaneously interact with belowground symbionts such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and aboveground antagonists such as aphids. Generally, plants gain access to valuable resources including nutrients and water through the AM symbiosis and are more resistant to pests. Nevertheless, aphids' performance improves on mycorrhizal plants, and it remains unclear whether a more nutritious food source and/or attenuated defenses are the contributing factors. This study examined the shoot and root transcriptome of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) plants highly colonized by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis (Blaszk., Wubet, Renker, and Buscot) C. Walker and A. Schüßler (Glomerales: Glomeraceae) and exposed to 7 days of mixed age pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)) herbivory. The RNA-seq samples chosen for this study showed that aphids were heavier when fed mycorrhizal plants compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. We hypothesized that (i) insect-related plant defense pathways will be downregulated in shoots of mycorrhizal plants with aphids compared to nonmycorrhizal plants with aphids; (ii) pathways involved in nutrient acquisition, carbohydrate-related and amino acid transport will be upregulated in shoots of mycorrhizal plants with aphids compared to nonmycorrhizal plants with aphids; and (iii) roots of mycorrhizal plants with aphids will exhibit mycorrhiza-induced resistance. The transcriptome data revealed that the gene repertoire related to defenses, nutrient transport, and carbohydrates differs between nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants with aphids, which could explain the weight gain in aphids. We also identified novel candidate genes that are differentially expressed in nonmycorrhizal plants with aphids, thus setting the stage for future functional studies.

The D14-SDEL1-SPX4 cascade integrates the strigolactone and phosphate signalling networks in rice

Modern agriculture needs large quantities of phosphate (Pi) fertilisers to obtain high yields. Information on how plants sense and adapt to Pi is required to enhance phosphorus-use efficiency (PUE) and thereby promote agricultural sustainability. Here, we show that strigolactones (SLs) regulate rice root developmental and metabolic adaptations to low Pi, by promoting efficient Pi uptake and translocation from roots to shoots. Low Pi stress triggers the synthesis of SLs, which dissociate the Pi central signalling module of SPX domain-containing protein (SPX4) and PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE protein (PHR2), leading to the release of PHR2 into the nucleus and activating the expression of Pi-starvation-induced genes including Pi transporters. The SL synthetic analogue GR24 enhances the interaction between the SL receptor DWARF 14 (D14) and a RING-finger ubiquitin E3 ligase (SDEL1). The sdel mutants have a reduced response to Pi starvation relative to wild-type plants, leading to insensitive root adaptation to Pi. Also, SLs induce the degradation of SPX4 via forming the D14-SDEL1-SPX4 complex. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying crosstalk between the SL and Pi signalling networks in response to Pi fluctuations, which will enable breeding of high-PUE crop plants.

Heterogeneous nutrient supply modulates root exudation and accumulation of medicinally valuable compounds in Artemisia annua and Hypericum perforatum

Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to adapt to nutrient-deficient environments, including stimulating lateral root proliferation into local soil patches with high nutrient content in response to heterogeneous nutrient distribution. Despite the widespread occurrence of this phenomenon in soil, the effect of heterogeneous nutrient distribution on the accumulation of secondary compounds in plant biomass and their exudation by roots remains largely unknown. This study aims to fill this critical knowledge gap by investigating how deficiency and unequal distributions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe) affect plant growth and accumulation of the antimalarial drug artemisinin (AN) in leaves and roots of Artemisia annua, as well as AN exudation by roots. Heterogeneous N and P supplies strongly increased root exudation of AN in half of a split-root system exposed to nutrient deficiency. By contrast, exposure to a homogeneous nitrate and phosphate deficiency did not modulate root exudation of AN. This indicates that a combination of local and systemic signals, reflecting low and high nutritional statuses, respectively, were required to enhance AN exudation. This exudation response was independent of the regulation of root hair formation, which was predominantly modulated by the local signal. In contrast to the heterogeneous supply of N and P, heterogeneous Fe supply did not modulate AN root exudation but increased AN accumulation in locally Fe-deficient roots. No modulation of nutrient supply significantly changed the accumulation of AN in A. annua leaves. The impact of a heterogeneous nitrate supply on growth and phytochemical composition was also investigated in Hypericum perforatum plants. Unlike in A. annue, the uneven N supply did not significantly influence the exudation of secondary compounds in the roots of H. perforatum. However, it did enhance the accumulation of several biologically active compounds, such as hypericin, catechin, and rutin isomers, in the leaves of H. perforatum. We propose that the capacity of plants to induce the accumulation and/or differential exudation of secondary compounds under heterogeneous nutrient supply is both species- and compound-specific. The ability to differentially exude AN may contribute to A. annua's adaptation to nutrient disturbances and modulate allelopathic and symbiotic interactions in the rhizosphere.

Functional assessment of AtPAP17; encoding a purple acid phosphatase involved in phosphate metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana

PURPOSE

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) includ the largest classes of non-specific plant acid phosphatases. Most characterized PAPs were found to play physiological functions in phosphorus metabolism. In this study, we investigated the function of AtPAP17 gene encoding an important purple acid phosphatase in Arabidopsis thaliana.

METHODS

The full-length cDNA sequence of AtPAP17 gene under the control of CaMV-35S promoter was transferred to the A. thaliana WT plant. The generated homozygote AtPAP17-overexpressed plants were compared by the types of analyses with corresponding homozygote atpap17-mutant plant and WT in both + P (1.2 mM) and - P (0 mM) conditions.

RESULTS

In the + P condition, the highest and the lowest amount of Pi was observed in AtPAP17-overexpressed plants and atpap17-mutant plants by 111% increase and 38% decrease compared with the WT plants, respectively. Furthermore, under the same condition, APase activity of AtPAP17-overexpressed plants increased by 24% compared to the WT. Inversely, atpap17-mutant plant represented a 71% fall compared to WT plants. The comparison of fresh weight and dry weight in the studied plants showed that the highest and the lowest amount of absorbed water belonged to OE plants (with 38 and 12 mg plant^-1) and Mu plants (with 22 and 7 mg plant^-1) in + P and - P conditions, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The lack of AtPAP17 gene in the A. thaliana genome led to a remarkable reduction in the development of root biomass. Thus, AtPAP17 could have an important role in the root but not shoot developmental and structural programming. Consequently, this function enables them to absorb more water and eventually associated with more phosphate absorption.

Molecular mechanisms and genetic improvement of low-phosphorus tolerance in rice

Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient required for plant growth and reproduction. Orthophosphate (Pi), the preferred P form for plant uptake, is easily fixed in the soil, making it unavailable to plants. Limited phosphate rock resources, low phosphate fertilizer use efficiency and high demands for green agriculture production make it important to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to P deficiency and to improve plant phosphate efficiency in crops. Over the past 20 years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the plant P starvation response. Here, we systematically review current research on the mechanisms of Pi acquisition, transport and distribution from the rhizosphere to the shoot; Pi redistribution and reuse during reproductive growth; and the molecular mechanisms of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Pi deficiency. Furthermore, we discuss several strategies for boosting P utilization efficiency and yield in rice.

Biomarkers for Early Detection, Prognosis, and Therapeutics of Esophageal Cancers

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the deadliest cancer worldwide, with a 92% annual mortality rate per incidence. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the two major types of ECs, with EAC having one of the worst prognoses in oncology. Limited screening techniques and a lack of molecular analysis of diseased tissues have led to late-stage presentation and very low survival durations. The five-year survival rate of EC is less than 20%. Thus, early diagnosis of EC may prolong survival and improve clinical outcomes. Cellular and molecular biomarkers are used for diagnosis. At present, esophageal biopsy during upper endoscopy and histopathological analysis is the standard screening modality for both ESCC and EAC. However, this is an invasive method that fails to yield a molecular profile of the diseased compartment. To decrease the invasiveness of the procedures for diagnosis, researchers are proposing non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and point-of-care screening options. Liquid biopsy involves the collection of body fluids (blood, urine, and saliva) non-invasively or with minimal invasiveness. In this review, we have critically discussed various biomarkers and specimen retrieval techniques for ESCC and EAC.

Strigolactones in Plants and Their Interaction with the Ecological Microbiome in Response to Abiotic Stress

Phytohormones play an essential role in enhancing plant tolerance by responding to abiotic stresses, such as nutrient deficiency, drought, high temperature, and light stress. Strigolactones (SLs) are carotenoid derivatives that occur naturally in plants and are defined as novel phytohormones that regulate plant metabolism, growth, and development. Strigolactone assists plants in the acquisition of defensive characteristics against drought stress by initiating physiological responses and mediating the interaction with soil microorganisms. Nutrient deficiency is an important abiotic stress factor, hence, plants perform many strategies to survive against nutrient deficiency, such as enhancing the efficiency of nutrient uptake and forming beneficial relationships with microorganisms. Strigolactone attracts various microorganisms and provides the roots with essential elements, including nitrogen and phosphorus. Among these advantageous microorganisms are arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), which regulate plant metabolic activities through phosphorus providing in roots. Bacterial nodulations are also nitrogen-fixing microorganisms found in plant roots. This symbiotic relationship is maintained as the plant provides organic molecules, produced in the leaves, that the bacteria could otherwise not independently generate. Related stresses, such as light stress and high-temperature stress, could be affected directly or indirectly by strigolactone. However, the messengers of these processes are unknown. The most prominent connector messengers have been identified upon the discovery of SLs and the understanding of their hormonal effect. In addition to attracting microorganisms, these groups of phytohormones affect photosynthesis, bridge other phytohormones, induce metabolic compounds. In this article, we highlighted the brief information available on SLs as a phytohormone group regarding their common related effects. In addition, we reviewed the status and described the application of SLs and plant response to abiotic stresses. This allowed us to comprehend plants' communication with the ecological microbiome as well as the strategies plants use to survive under various stresses. Furthermore, we identify and classify the SLs that play a role in stress resistance since many ecological microbiomes are unexplained.

Review: Isoprenoid and aromatic cytokinins in shoot branching

Shoot branching is an important event of plant development that defines growth and reproduction. The BRANCHED1 gene (BRC1/TB1/FC1) is crucial for this process. Within the phytohormones, cytokinins directly activate axillary buds to promote shoot branching. In addition, strigolactones and auxins inhibit bud outgrowth. This review addresses the involvement of aromatic and isoprenoid cytokinins in shoot branching. And how auxins and strigolactones contribute to regulating this process also. The results obtained by others and our working group with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) show that cytokinins affect both shoot and root apical meristem development, consistent with other plant species. However, many questions remain about how cytokinins and strigolactones antagonistically regulate BRC1 gene expression. Additionally, many details of the interaction among cytokinins, auxins, and strigolactones need to be clarified. We will gain a more comprehensive scheme of bud outgrowth with these details.

Hyperspectral and genome-wide association analyses of leaf phosphorus status in local Thai indica rice

Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral nutrient and one of the key factors determining crop productivity. P-deficient plants exhibit visual leaf symptoms, including chlorosis, and alter spectral reflectance properties. In this study, we evaluated leaf inorganic phosphate (Pi) contents, plant growth and reflectance spectra (420–790 nm) of 172 Thai rice landrace varieties grown hydroponically under three different P supplies (overly sufficient, mildly deficient and severely deficient conditions). We reported correlations between Pi contents and reflectance ratios computed from two wavebands in the range of near infrared (720–790 nm) and visible energy (green-yellow and red edge) (r > 0.69) in Pi-deficient leaves. Artificial neural network models were also developed which could classify P deficiency levels with 85.60% accuracy and predict Pi content with R² of 0.53, as well as highlight important waveband sections. Using 217 reflectance ratio indices to perform genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 113,114 SNPs, we identified 11 loci associated with the spectral reflectance traits, some of which were also associated with the leaf Pi content trait. Hyperspectral measurement offers a promising non-destructive approach to predict plant P status and screen large germplasm for varieties with high P use efficiency.

How Strigolactone Shapes Shoot Architecture

Despite its central role in the control of plant architecture, strigolactone has been recognized as a phytohormone only 15 years ago. Together with auxin, it regulates shoot branching in response to genetically encoded programs, as well as environmental cues. A central determinant of shoot architecture is apical dominance, i.e., the tendency of the main shoot apex to inhibit the outgrowth of axillary buds. Hence, the execution of apical dominance requires long-distance communication between the shoot apex and all axillary meristems. While the role of strigolactone and auxin in apical dominance appears to be conserved among flowering plants, the mechanisms involved in bud activation may be more divergent, and include not only hormonal pathways but also sugar signaling. Here, we discuss how spatial aspects of SL biosynthesis, transport, and sensing may relate to apical dominance, and we consider the mechanisms acting locally in axillary buds during dormancy and bud activation.

Involvement of strigolactone hormone in root development, influence and interaction with mycorrhizal fungi in plant: Mini-review

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant symbiosis.

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Role AMF in root development and plant growth promotion.

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AMF influence and plant response under strigolactone (SL) and SL-GR24 application.

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Effects and functions of SL in root development and interaction with AMF.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant symbiosis is the old, fascinating and beneficial relation that exist on earth for the plants. In this review, we have elaborated that the strigolactones (SLs) are released from the roots and function with root parasite, seeds and symbiotic AMF as contact chemicals. They are transported through the xylem in the plants and can regulate plant architecture, seed germination, nodule formation, increase the primary root length, influence the root hairs and physiological reactions to non-living agents by regulating their metabolism. SLs first evolved in ancient plant lineages as regulators of the basic production processes and then took a new role to maintain the growing biological complexities of terrestrial plant. SLs belongs to a diversified category of butenolide‐bearing plant hormones related to various processes of agricultural concern. SLs also arouses the development of spores, the divergence and enlargement of hyphae of AMF, metabolism of mitochondria, reprogramming of transcription process, and generation of chitin oligosaccharides which further stimulate the early response of symbiosis in the host plant, results from better communication in plant and ability of coexistence with these fungi. The required nutrients are transferred from the roots to the shoots, which affect the physiological, biochemical, and morphological characteristics of the plant. On the other hand, the plant provides organic carbon in the form of sugars and lipids to the fungi, which they use as a source of energy and for carried out different anabolic pathways. SLs also lead to alteration in the dynamic and structure of actin in the root region as well as changes the auxin's transporter localization in the plasma membrane. Thus, this study reveals the functions that SLs play in the growth of roots, as well as their effect and interaction with AMF that promote plant growth.

Strigolactones affect phosphorus acquisition strategies in tomato plants

Strigolactones (SLs) are plant hormones that modulate morphological, physiological and biochemical changes as part of the acclimation strategies to phosphorus (P) deficiency, but an in-depth description of their effects on tomato P-acquisition strategies under P shortage is missing. Therefore, in this study, we investigate how SLs impact on root exudation and P uptake, in qualitative and quantitative terms over time, in wild-type and SL-depleted tomato plants grown with or without P. Under P shortage, SL-depleted plants were unable to efficiently activate most mechanisms associated with the P starvation response (PSR), except for the up-regulation of P transporters and increased activity of P-solubilizing enzymes. The reduced SL biosynthesis had negative effects also under normal P provision, because plants over-activated high-affinity transporters and enzymatic activities (phytase, acidic phosphatase) to sustain elevated P uptake, at great carbon and nitrogen costs. A shift in the onset of PSR was also highlighted in these plants. We conclude that SLs are master kinetic regulators of the PSR in tomato and that their defective synthesis might lead both to suboptimal nutritional outcomes under P depletion and an unbalanced control of P uptake when P is available.

A Citrus Phosphate Starvation Response Factor CsPHL3 Negatively Regulates Carotenoid Metabolism

Carotenoids provide precursors for the biosynthesis of strigolactones, which are a new class of hormones that are essential in phosphate (Pi) signaling during plant development. Carotenoid metabolism is a finely tuned pathway, but our understanding of the regulation mechanisms is still limited. In this study, we isolated a protein designated as CsPHL3 from citrus. CsPHL3 belonged to the Pi starvation response factor (PHR)-like subclade and was upregulated by low Pi. Acting as a nucleus-localized protein with transactivation activity, CsPHL3 bound directly to activate the promoter of a key metabolic gene, lycopene β-cyclase1 (LCYb1). Transgenic analysis revealed that the CsPHL3-overexpressing tomato plants exhibited abnormal growth, like the plants grew under limited Pi conditions. The transgenic lines showed reduced carotenoid contents and elevated expression of LCYb genes but downregulation of other key carotenogenic genes, including phytoene synthase (PSY). Moreover, CsPHL3 induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and affected Pi signaling in the transgenic plants. We further demonstrated that the expression of PSY was negatively regulated by CsPHL3 and high Pi. It is concluded that CsPHL3 is a Pi starvation response factor that negatively regulates carotenoid metabolism by modulating the expression of carotenogenic genes. Establishment of the CsPHL3-CsLCYb1 network provides new valuable knowledge of the function and underlying mechanism of PHR transcription factors and expands our understanding of the complex regulation mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis.

The Potential of the Synthetic Strigolactone Analogue GR24 for the Maintenance of Photosynthesis and Yield in Winter Wheat under Drought: Investigations on the Mechanisms of Action and Delivery Modes

Strigolactones (SLs) have been implicated in many plant biological and physiological processes, including the responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, in concert with other phytohormones. While it is now clear that exogenous SLs may help plants to survive in harsh environmental condition, the best, most effective protocols for treatment have not been defined yet, and the mechanisms of action are far from being fully understood. In the set of experiments reported here, we contrasted two application methods for treatment with a synthetic analog of SL, GR24. A number of morphometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured following foliar application of GR24 or application in the residual irrigation water in winter wheat plants under irrigated and drought stress conditions. Depending on the concentration and the method of GR24 application, differentiated photosynthesis and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in drought conditions were observed. We present evidence that different methods of GR24 application led to increased photosynthesis and yield under stress by a combination of drought tolerance and escape factors, which should be considered for future research exploring the potential of this new family of bioactive molecules for practical applications.

Combining host plant defence with targeted nutrition: key to durable control of hemiparasitic Striga in cereals in sub-Saharan Africa?

Host plant defence mechanisms (resistance and tolerance) and plant nutrition are two of the most widely proposed components for the control of hemiparasitic weeds of the genus Striga in tropical cereal production systems. Neither of the two components alone is effective enough to prevent parasitism and concomitant crop losses. This review explores the potential of improved plant nutrition, being the chemical constituent of soil fertility, to fortify the expression of plant inherent resistance and tolerance against Striga. Beyond reviewing advances in parasitic plant research, we assess relevant insights from phytopathology and plant physiology in the broader sense to identify opportunities and knowledge gaps and to develop the way forward regarding research and development of combining genetics and plant nutrition for the durable control of Striga.

Regulation of Plant Mineral Nutrition by Signal Molecules

Microbes operate their metabolic activities at a unicellular level. However, it has been revealed that a few metabolic activities only prove beneficial to microbes if operated at high cell densities. These cell density-dependent activities termed quorum sensing (QS) operate through specific chemical signals. In Gram-negative bacteria, the most widely reported QS signals are acylhomoserine lactones. In contrast, a novel QS-like system has been elucidated, regulating communication between microbes and plants through strigolactones. These systems regulate bioprocesses, which affect the health of plants, animals, and human beings. This mini-review presents recent developments in the QS and QS-like signal molecules in promoting plant health.

Serendipita bescii promotes winter wheat growth and modulates the host root transcriptome under phosphorus and nitrogen starvation

Serendipita vermifera ssp. bescii, hereafter referred to as S. bescii, is a root‐associated fungus that promotes plant growth in both its native switchgrass host and a variety of monocots and dicots. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a dual‐purpose crop, used for both forage and grain production, significantly contributes to the agricultural economies of the Southern Great Plains, USA. In this study, we investigated the influence of S. bescii on growth and transcriptome regulation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) metabolism in winter wheat. Serendipita bescii significantly improved lateral root growth and forage biomass under a limited N or P regime. Further, S. bescii activated sets of host genes regulating N and P starvation responses. These genes include, root‐specific auxin transport, strigolactone and gibberellin biosynthesis, degradation of phospholipids and biosynthesis of glycerolipid, downregulation of ammonium transport and nitrate assimilation, restriction of protein degradation by autophagy and subsequent N remobilization. All these genes are hypothesized to regulate acquisition, assimilation and remobilization of N and P. Based on transcriptional level gene regulation and physiological responses to N or P limitation, we suggest S. bescii plays a critical role in modulating stress imposed by limitation of these two critical nutrients in winter wheat.

ZmCCD10a Encodes a Distinct Type of Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase and Enhances Plant Tolerance to Low Phosphate

Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) drive carotenoid catabolism to produce various apocarotenoids and immediate derivatives with particular developmental, ecological, and agricultural importance. How CCD genes evolved with species diversification and the resulting functional novelties in cereal crops have remained largely elusive. We constructed a unified four-clade phylogenetic tree of CCDs, revealing a previously unanchored basal clade CCD10 CCD10 underwent highly dynamic duplication or loss events, even in the grass family. Different from cleavage sites of CCD8 and ZAXINONE SYNTHASE (ZAS), maize (Zea mays) ZmCCD10a cleaved differentially structured carotenoids at 5, 6 (5', 6') and 9, 10 (9', 10') positions, generating C8 (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one) and C13 (geranylacetone, α-ionone, and β-ionone) apocarotenoids in Escherichia coli Localized in plastids, ZmCCD10a cleaved neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxathin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene in planta, corroborating functional divergence of ZmCCD10a and ZAS. ZmCCD10a expression was dramatically stimulated in maize and teosinte (Z. mays ssp. parviglumis, Z. mays ssp. huehuetenangensis, Zea luxurians, and Zea diploperennis) roots by phosphate (Pi) limitation. ZmCCD10a silencing favored phosphorus retention in the root and reduced phosphorus and biomass accumulation in the shoot under low Pi. Overexpression of ZmCCD10a in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) enhanced plant tolerance to Pi limitation by preferential phosphorus allocation to the shoot. Thus, ZmCCD10a encodes a unique CCD facilitating plant tolerance to Pi limitation. Additionally, ZmCCD10a silencing and overexpression led to coherent alterations in expression of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE REGULATOR 1 (PHR1) and Pi transporters, and cis-regulation of ZmCCD10a expression by ZmPHR1;1 and ZmPHR1;2 implies a probable ZmCCD10a-involved regulatory pathway that adjusts Pi allocation.

Strigolactones Control Root System Architecture and Tip Anatomy in Solanum Lycopersicum L. Plants under P Starvation

The hormones strigolactones accumulate in plant roots under phosphorus (P) shortage, inducing variations in plant phenotype. In this study, we aimed at understanding whether strigolactones control morphological and anatomical changes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) roots under varying P supply. Root traits were evaluated in wild-type seedlings grown in high vs low P, with or without exogenous strigolactones, and in wild-type and strigolactone-depleted plants grown first under high vs no P, and then under high vs no P after acclimation on low P. Exogenous strigolactones stimulated primary root and lateral root number under low P. Root growth was reduced in strigolactone-depleted plants maintained under continuous P deprivation. Total root and root hair length, lateral root number and root tip anatomy were impaired by low strigolactone biosynthesis in plants grown under low P or transferred from low to no P. Under adequate P conditions, root traits of strigolactone-depleted and wild-type plants were similar. Concluding, our results indicate that strigolactones i) control macro- and microscopic changes of root in tomato depending on P supply; and ii) do not affect root traits significantly when plants are supplemented with adequate P, but are needed for acclimation to no P and typical responses to low P.

Interaction between Humic Substances and Plant Hormones for Phosphorous Acquisition

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint in highly weathered tropical soils. Although phosphorous rock reserves may last for several hundred years, there exists an urgent need to research efficient P management for sustainable agriculture. Plant hormones play an important role in regulating plant growth, development, and reproduction. Humic substances (HS) are not only considered an essential component of soil organic carbon (SOC), but also well known as a biostimulant which can perform phytohormone-like activities to induce nutrient uptake. This review paper presents an overview of the scientific outputs in the relationship between HS and plant hormones. Special attention will be paid to the interaction between HS and plant hormones for nutrient uptake under P-deficient conditions.

Strigolactones and their crosstalk with other phytohormones

BACKGROUND

Strigolactones (SLs) are a diverse class of butenolide-bearing phytohormones derived from the catabolism of carotenoids. They are associated with an increasing number of emerging regulatory roles in plant growth and development, including seed germination, root and shoot architecture patterning, nutrient acquisition, symbiotic and parasitic interactions, as well as mediation of plant responses to abiotic and biotic cues.

SCOPE

Here, we provide a concise overview of SL biosynthesis, signal transduction pathways and SL-mediated plant responses with a detailed discourse on the crosstalk(s) that exist between SLs/components of SL signalling and other phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonates and salicylic acid.

CONCLUSION

SLs elicit their control on physiological and morphological processes via a direct or indirect influence on the activities of other hormones and/or integrants of signalling cascades of other growth regulators. These, among many others, include modulation of hormone content, transport and distribution within plant tissues, interference with or complete dependence on downstream signal components of other phytohormones, as well as acting synergistically or antagonistically with other hormones to elicit plant responses. Although much has been done to evince the effects of SL interactions with other hormones at the cell and whole plant levels, research attention must be channelled towards elucidating the precise molecular events that underlie these processes. More especially in the case of abscisic acid, cytokinins, gibberellin, jasmonates and salicylic acid for which very little has been reported about their hormonal crosstalk with SLs.

Phytobiome metabolism: beneficial soil microbes steer crop plants' secondary metabolism

Crops are negatively affected by abiotic and biotic stresses, however, plant-microbe cooperation allows prompt buffering of these environmental changes. Microorganisms exhibit an extensive metabolic capability to assist plants in reducing these burdens. Interestingly, beneficial microbes may also trigger, at the host side, a sequence of events from signal perception to metabolic responses leading to stress tolerance or protection against biotic threats. Although plants are well known for their vast chemical diversity, plant-microbial interactions often stimulate the production of a rich and different repertoire of metabolites in plants. The targeted microbial-plant interactions reprogramming plant metabolism represent potential means to foster various pest managements. However, the molecular mechanisms of microbial modulation of plant metabolic plasticity are still poorly understood. Here, we review an increasing amount of reports providing evidence for alterations to plant metabolism caused by beneficial microbial colonization. In addition, we highlight the vital importance of these metabolic reprograms for plants under stress erratic conditions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

A study of CCD8 genes/proteins in seven monocots and eight dicots

In plants, the enzyme CCD8 (carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 8) is involved in the synthesis of an important hormone, strigolactone, and therefore, plays an important role in controlling growth and development. Using cDNA and protein sequence derived from the gene ZmCCD8 from maize, we identified putative orthologs of the gene encoding CCD8 in six other monocots and eight dicots; the sequence similarity ranged from 52–75.9% at the gene level and 60.9–93.7% at the protein level. The average length of the gene was ~3.3 kb (range: 2.08 to 3.98 kb), although the number of introns within the genes differed (4 or 5 in dicots and 3 or 4 in monocots, except in T. urartu with 6 introns). Several cis-acting regulatory elements were identified in the promoters of CCD8 genes, which are known to respond to biotic and abiotic stresses. The N-terminal end (up to ~70 amino acids) of CCD8 proteins was highly variable due to insertions, deletions and mismatches. The variation in genes and proteins were particularly conspicuous in T. urartu and Ae. tauschii among the monocots and A. thaliana and P. persica among the dicots. In CCD8 proteins, 12 motifs were also identified, of which 6 were novel; 4 of these novel motifs occurred in all the 15 species. The 3D structures of proteins had the characteristic features of the related enzyme apocarotenoid oxygenase (ACO) of Synechocystis (a representative of cyanobacteria). The results of qRT-PCR in wheat revealed that under phosphorous (P)-starved condition (relative to expression under optimum P used as control), the expression of TaCCD8 genes increased ~37 fold in root tissue of the cultivar C306 and ~33 fold in shoot tissue of the cultivar HUW468 (the two cultivars differed in their P-use efficiency). This suggested that expression of TaCCD8 genes is genotype-dependent and tissue-specific and is regulated under different levels of P supply.

Nitrogen- and phosphorus-starved Triticum aestivum show distinct belowground microbiome profiles

Many plants have natural partnerships with microbes that can boost their nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) acquisition. To assess whether wheat may have undiscovered associations of these types, we tested if N/P-starved Triticum aestivum show microbiome profiles that are simultaneously different from those of N/P-amended plants and those of their own bulk soils. The bacterial and fungal communities of root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil samples from the Historical Dryland Plots (Lethbridge, Canada), which hold T. aestivum that is grown both under N/P fertilization and in conditions of extreme N/P-starvation, were taxonomically described and compared (bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal Internal Transcribed Spacers-ITS). As the list may include novel N- and/or P-providing wheat partners, we then identified all the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that were proportionally enriched in one or more of the nutrient starvation- and plant-specific communities. These analyses revealed: a) distinct N-starvation root and rhizosphere bacterial communities that were proportionally enriched, among others, in OTUs belonging to families Enterobacteriaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Comamonadaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Cytophagaceae, Streptomycetaceae, b) distinct N-starvation root fungal communities that were proportionally enriched in OTUs belonging to taxa Lulworthia, Sordariomycetes, Apodus, Conocybe, Ascomycota, Crocicreas, c) a distinct P-starvation rhizosphere bacterial community that was proportionally enriched in an OTU belonging to genus Agrobacterium, and d) a distinct P-starvation root fungal community that was proportionally enriched in OTUs belonging to genera Parastagonospora and Phaeosphaeriopsis. Our study might have exposed wheat-microbe connections that can form the basis of novel complementary yield-boosting tools.

An Integrative Systems Perspective on Plant Phosphate Research

The case for improving crop phosphorus-use-efficiency is widely recognized. Although much is known about the molecular and regulatory mechanisms, improvements have been hampered by the extreme complexity of phosphorus (P) dynamics, which involves soil chemistry; plant-soil interactions; uptake, transport, utilization and remobilization within plants; and agricultural practices. The urgency and direction of phosphate research is also dependent upon the finite sources of P, availability of stocks to farmers and reducing environmental hazards. This work introduces integrative systems approaches as a way to represent and understand this complexity, so that meaningful links can be established between genotype, environment, crop traits and yield. It aims to provide a large set of pointers to potential genes and research practice, with a view to encouraging members of the plant-phosphate research community to adopt such approaches so that, together, we can aid efforts in global food security.

Strigolactones in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses: An emerging avenue of plant research

Phytohormones play central roles in boosting plant tolerance to environmental stresses, which negatively affect plant productivity and threaten future food security. Strigolactones (SLs), a class of carotenoid-derived phytohormones, were initially discovered as an "ecological signal" for parasitic seed germination and establishment of symbiotic relationship between plants and beneficial microbes. Subsequent characterizations have described their functional roles in various developmental processes, including root development, shoot branching, reproductive development, and leaf senescence. SLs have recently drawn much attention due to their essential roles in the regulation of various physiological and molecular processes during the adaptation of plants to abiotic stresses. Reports suggest that the production of SLs in plants is strictly regulated and dependent on the type of stresses that plants confront at various stages of development. Recently, evidence for crosstalk between SLs and other phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, in responses to abiotic stresses suggests that SLs actively participate within regulatory networks of plant stress adaptation that are governed by phytohormones. Moreover, the prospective roles of SLs in the management of plant growth and development under adverse environmental conditions have been suggested. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion pertaining to SL-mediated plant responses and adaptation to abiotic stresses.

The Sugar-Signaling Hub: Overview of Regulators and Interaction with the Hormonal and Metabolic Network

Plant growth and development has to be continuously adjusted to the available resources. Their optimization requires the integration of signals conveying the plant metabolic status, its hormonal balance, and its developmental stage. Many investigations have recently been conducted to provide insights into sugar signaling and its interplay with hormones and nitrogen in the fine-tuning of plant growth, development, and survival. The present review emphasizes the diversity of sugar signaling integrators, the main molecular and biochemical mechanisms related to the sugar-signaling dependent regulations, and to the regulatory hubs acting in the interplay of the sugar-hormone and sugar-nitrogen networks. It also contributes to compiling evidence likely to fill a few knowledge gaps, and raises new questions for the future.

The Sugar-Signaling Hub: Overview of Regulators and Interaction with the Hormonal and Metabolic Network

Plant growth and development has to be continuously adjusted to the available resources. Their optimization requires the integration of signals conveying the plant metabolic status, its hormonal balance, and its developmental stage. Many investigations have recently been conducted to provide insights into sugar signaling and its interplay with hormones and nitrogen in the fine-tuning of plant growth, development, and survival. The present review emphasizes the diversity of sugar signaling integrators, the main molecular and biochemical mechanisms related to the sugar-signaling dependent regulations, and to the regulatory hubs acting in the interplay of the sugar-hormone and sugar-nitrogen networks. It also contributes to compiling evidence likely to fill a few knowledge gaps, and raises new questions for the future.

Genome-wide analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenase genes and their responses to various phytohormones and abiotic stresses in apple (Malus domestica)

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) are able to cleave carotenoids to produce apocarotenoids and their derivatives, which are important for plant growth and development. In this study, 21 apple CCO genes were identified and divided into six groups based on their phylogenetic relationships. We further characterized the apple CCO genes in terms of chromosomal distribution, structure and the presence of cis-elements in the promoter. We also predicted the cellular localization of the encoded proteins. An analysis of the synteny within the apple genome revealed that tandem, segmental, and whole-genome duplication events likely contributed to the expansion of the apple carotenoid oxygenase gene family. An additional integrated synteny analysis identified orthologous carotenoid oxygenase genes between apple and Arabidopsis thaliana, which served as references for the functional analysis of the apple CCO genes. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of leaves decreased, while leaf stomatal density increased under drought and saline conditions. Tissue-specific gene expression analyses revealed diverse spatiotemporal expression patterns. Finally, hormone and abiotic stress treatments indicated that many apple CCO genes are responsive to various phytohormones as well as drought and salinity stresses. The genome-wide identification of apple CCO genes and the analyses of their expression patterns described herein may provide a solid foundation for future studies examining the regulation and functions of this gene family.

Molecular Mechanisms of Acclimatization to Phosphorus Starvation and Recovery Underlying Full-Length Transcriptome Profiling in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

A lack of phosphorus (P) in plants can severely constrain growth and development. Barley, one of the earliest domesticated crops, is extensively planted in poor soil around the world. To date, the molecular mechanisms of enduring low phosphorus, at the transcriptional level, in barley are still unclear. In the present study, two different barley genotypes (GN121 and GN42)-with contrasting phosphorus efficiency-were used to reveal adaptations to low phosphorus stress, at three time points, at the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptome level. GN121 growth was less affected by phosphorus starvation and recovery than that of GN42. The biomass and inorganic phosphorus concentration of GN121 and GN42 declined under the low phosphorus-induced stress and increased after recovery with normal phosphorus. However, the range of these parameters was higher in GN42 than in GN121. Subsequently, a more complete genome annotation was obtained by correcting with the data sequenced on Illumina HiSeq X 10 and PacBio RSII SMRT platform. A total of 6,182 and 5,270 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in GN121 and GN42, respectively. The majority of these DEGs were involved in phosphorus metabolism such as phospholipid degradation, hydrolysis of phosphoric enzymes, sucrose synthesis, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and post-transcriptional regulation; expression of these genes was significantly different between GN121 and GN42. Specifically, six and seven DEGs were annotated as phosphorus transporters in roots and leaves, respectively. Furthermore, a putative model was constructed relying on key metabolic pathways related to phosphorus to illustrate the higher phosphorus efficiency of GN121 compared to GN42 under low phosphorus conditions. Results from this study provide a multi-transcriptome database and candidate genes for further study on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE).

Interaction and Regulation of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Metabolisms in Root Nodules of Legumes

Members of the plant family Leguminosae (Fabaceae) are unique in that they have evolved a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia (a group of soil bacteria that can fix atmospheric nitrogen). Rhizobia infect and form root nodules on their specific host plants before differentiating into bacteroids, the symbiotic form of rhizobia. This complex relationship involves the supply of C₄-dicarboxylate and phosphate by the host plants to the microsymbionts that utilize them in the energy-intensive process of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, which is in turn made available to the host plants as a source of nitrogen, a macronutrient for growth. Although nitrogen-fixing bacteroids are no longer growing, they are metabolically active. The symbiotic process is complex and tightly regulated by both the host plants and the bacteroids. The metabolic pathways of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate are heavily regulated in the host plants, as they need to strike a fine balance between satisfying their own needs as well as those of the microsymbionts. A network of transporters for the various metabolites are responsible for the trafficking of these essential molecules between the two partners through the symbiosome membrane (plant-derived membrane surrounding the bacteroid), and these are in turn regulated by various transcription factors that control their expressions under different environmental conditions. Understanding this complex process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation is vital in promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing soil fertility.

The "STAY-GREEN" trait and phytohormone signaling networks in plants under heat stress

The increasing demand for food and the heavy yield losses in primary crops due to global warming mean that there is an urgent need to improve food security. Therefore, understanding how plants respond to heat stress and its consequences, such as drought and increased soil salinity, has received much attention in plant science community. Plants exhibit stress tolerance, escape or avoidance via adaptation and acclimatization mechanisms. These mechanisms rely on a high degree of plasticity in their cellular metabolism, in which phytohormones play an important role. "STAY-GREEN" is a crucial trait for genetic improvement of several crops, which allows plants to keep their leaves on the active photosynthetic level under stress conditions. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms concomitant with "STAY-GREEN" trait or delayed leaf senescence, as well as those regulating photosynthetic capability of plants under heat stress, with a certain focus on the hormonal pathways, may be a key to break the plateau of productivity associated with adaptation to high temperature. This review will discuss the recent findings that advance our understanding of the mechanisms controlling leaf senescence and hormone signaling cascades under heat stress.

Biocontrol agent Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae has no adverse effect on indigenous total fungal communities and specific AMF taxa in contrasting maize rhizospheres

We studied the effects of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae (Fos), a soil-borne biocontrol agent (BCA) against Striga hermonthica, on total fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) taxa in rhizospheres of maize in both clayey and sandy soil. Effects of Fos-BCA ‘Foxy-2’ were evaluated against (1) S. hermonthica presence, and (2) organic fertilization with Tithonia diversifolia residues at 14, 28 and 42 d after ‘Foxy-2’ inoculation, via DNA-based quantitative PCR and TRFLP fingerprinting. In both soils, ‘Foxy-2’ occasionally promoted total fungal abundance, while the community composition was mainly altered by T. diversifolia and S. hermonthica. Notably, ‘Foxy-2’ stimulated AMF Gigaspora margarita abundance, while G. margarita was suppressed by S. hermonthica. Total fungal and AMF abundance were promoted by T. diversifolia residues. In conclusion, ‘Foxy-2’ resulted in no adverse effects on indigenous rhizosphere fungal communities substantiating its environmental safety as BCA against S. hermonthica.

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‘Foxy-2’ promoted AMF Gigaspora margarita abundance.

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Total fungal abundance was only transiently stimulated by ‘Foxy-2’.

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Contrastingly, G. margarita abundance was suppressed by Striga hermonthica.

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‘Foxy-2’ induced only a minor alteration of fungal community composition.

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‘Foxy-2’ effects were generally superimposed by organic fertilization.

Signals and cues in the evolution of plant-microbe communication

Communication has played a key role in organismal evolution. If sender and receiver have a shared interest in propagating reliable information, such as when they are kin relatives, then effective communication can bring large fitness benefits. However, interspecific communication (among different species) is more prone to dishonesty. Over the last decade, plants and their microbial root symbionts have become a model system for studying interspecific molecular crosstalk. However, less is known about the evolutionary stability of plant-microbe communication. What prevents partners from hijacking or manipulating information to their own benefit? Here, we focus on communication between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their host plants. We ask how partners use directed signals to convey specific information, and highlight research on the problem of dishonest signaling.

Physiological controls of chrysanthemum DgD27 gene expression in regulation of shoot branching

DgD27 was cloned from D. grandiflorum for the first time and played an important role in shoot branching of chrysanthemum. Shoot branching plays an important role in determining plant architecture. D27 was previously proven to be involved in the strigolactone biosynthetic pathway in rice, Arabidopsis, and Medicago. To investigate the role of D27 in shoot branching of chrysanthemum, we isolated the D27 homolog DgD27. Functional analysis showed that DgD27 was a plastid-localized protein that restored the phenotype of Arabidopsis d27-1. Gene expression analysis revealed that DgD27 was expressed at the highest levels in stem, and was up-regulated by exogenous auxin. Decapitation could down-regulate DgD27 expression, but this effect could be restored by exogenous auxin. DgD27 expression was significantly down-regulated by dark treatment in axillary buds. In addition, DgD27 transcripts produced rapid responses in shoots and roots under conditions of phosphate absence, but only mild variation in responses in buds, stems, and roots with low nitrogen treatment. DgBRC1 transcripts also showed the same response in buds under low nitrogen conditions. Under phosphate deficiency, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels increased, zeatin riboside levels decreased, and abscisic acid (ABA) levels increased in the shoot, while both IAA and ABA levels increased in the shoot under low nitrogen treatments. Gibberellin acid levels were unaffected by phosphate deficiency and low nitrogen treatments. Taken together, these results demonstrated the diverse roles of DgD27 in response to physiological controls in chrysanthemum shoot branching.

NPKS uptake, sensing, and signaling and miRNAs in plant nutrient stress

Sessile nature of higher plants consequently makes it highly adaptable for nutrient absorption and acquisition from soil. Plants require 17 essential elements for their growth and development which include 14 minerals (macronutrients: N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S; micronutrients: Cl, Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mo) and 3 non-mineral (C, H, O) elements. The roots of higher plants must acquire these macronutrients and micronutrients from rhizosphere and further allocate to other plant parts for completing their life cycle. Plants evolved an intricate series of signaling and sensing cascades to maintain nutrient homeostasis and to cope with nutrient stress/availability. The specific receptors for nutrients in root, root system architecture, and internal signaling pathways help to develop plasticity in response to the nutrient starvation. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) are essential for various metabolic processes, and their deficiency negatively effects the plant growth and yield. Genes coding for transporters and receptors for nutrients as well as some small non-coding RNAs have been implicated in nutrient uptake and signaling. This review summarizes the N, P, K, and S uptake, sensing and signaling events in nutrient stress condition especially in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and involvement of microRNAs in nutrient deficiency. This article also provides a framework of uptake, sensing, signaling and to highlight the microRNA as an emerging major players in nutrient stress condition. Nutrient-plant-miRNA cross talk may help plant to cope up nutrient stress, and understanding their precise mechanism(s) will be necessary to develop high yielding smart crop with low nutrient input.

Emerging Roles of Strigolactones in Plant Responses to Stress and Development

Our environment constantly undergoes changes either natural or manmade affecting growth and development of all the organisms including plants. Plants are sessile in nature and therefore to counter environmental changes such as light, temperature, nutrient and water availability, pathogen, and many others; plants have evolved intricate signaling mechanisms, composed of multiple components including several plant hormones. Research conducted in the last decade has placed Strigolactones (SLs) in the growing list of plant hormones involved in coping with environmental changes. SLs are carotenoid derivatives functioning as both endogenous and exogenous signaling molecules in response to various environmental cues. Initially, SLs were discovered as compounds that are harmful to plants due to their role as stimulants in seed germination of parasitic plants, a more beneficial role in plant growth and development was uncovered much later. SLs are required for maintaining plant architecture by regulating shoot and root growth in response to various external stimuli including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, light, nutrients, and temperature. Moreover, a role for SLs has also been recognized during various abiotic and biotic stress conditions making them suitable target for generating genetically engineered crop plants with improved yield. This review discusses the biosynthesis of SLs and their regulatory and physiological roles in various stress conditions. Understanding of detailed signaling mechanisms of SLs will be an important factor for designing genetically modified crops for overcoming the problem of crop loss under stressful conditions.

Fine-tuning by strigolactones of root response to low phosphate

Strigolactones are plant hormones that regulate the development of different plant parts. In the shoot, they regulate axillary bud outgrowth and in the root, root architecture and root-hair length and density. Strigolactones are also involved with communication in the rhizosphere, including enhancement of hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Here we present the role and activity of strigolactones under conditions of phosphate deprivation. Under these conditions, their levels of biosynthesis and exudation increase, leading to changes in shoot and root development. At least for the latter, these changes are likely to be associated with alterations in auxin transport and sensitivity. On the other hand, strigolactones may positively affect plant-mycorrhiza interactions and thereby promote phosphate acquisition by the plant. Strigolactones may be a way for plants to fine-tune their growth pattern under phosphate deprivation.

Characterization of DWARF14 Genes in Populus

Strigolactones are a new class of plant hormones regulating shoot branching and symbiotic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Studies of branching mutants in herbaceous plants have identified several key genes involved in strigolactone biosynthesis or signaling. The strigolactone signal is perceived by a member of the α/β-fold hydrolase superfamily, known as DWARF14 (D14). However, little is known about D14 genes in the woody perennial plants. Here we report the identification of D14 homologs in the model woody plant Populus trichocarpa. We showed that there are two D14 homologs in P. trichocarpa, designated as PtD14a and PtD14b that are over 95% similar at the amino acid level. Expression analysis indicated that the transcript level of PtD14a is generally more abundant than that of PtD14b. However, only PtD14a was able to complement Arabidopsis d14 mutants, suggesting that PtD14a is the functional D14 ortholog. Amino acid alignment and structural modeling revealed substitutions of several highly conserved amino acids in the PtD14b protein including a phenylalanine near the catalytic triad of D14 proteins. This study lays a foundation for further characterization of strigolactone pathway and its functions in the woody perennial plants.

The role of strigolactones in root development

Strigolactones (SLs) and their derivatives were recently defined as novel phytohormones that orchestrate shoot and root growth. Levels of SLs, which are produced mainly by plant roots, increase under low nitrogen and phosphate levels to regulate plant responses. Here, we summarize recent work on SL biology by describing their role in the regulation of root development and hormonal crosstalk during root deve-lopment. SLs promote the elongation of seminal/primary roots and adventitious roots (ARs) and they repress lateral root formation. In addition, auxin signaling acts downstream of SLs. AR formation is positively or negatively regulated by SLs depending largely on the plant species and experimental conditions. The relationship between SLs and auxin during AR formation appears to be complex. Most notably, this hormonal response is a key adaption that radically alters rice root architecture in response to nitrogen- and phosphate-deficient conditions.

Strigolactone biology: genes, functional genomics, epigenetics and applications

Strigolactones (SLs) represent an important new plant hormone class marked by their multifunctional role in plant and rhizosphere interactions. These compounds stimulate hyphal branching in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and seed germination of root parasitic plants. In addition, they are involved in the control of plant architecture by inhibiting bud outgrowth as well as many other morphological and developmental processes together with other plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins. The biosynthetic pathway of SLs that are derived from carotenoids was partially decrypted based on the identification of mutants from a variety of plant species. Only a few SL biosynthetic and regulated genes and related regulatory transcription factors have been identified. However, functional genomics and epigenetic studies started to give first elements on the modality of the regulation of SLs related genes. Since they control plant architecture and plant-rhizosphere interaction, SLs start to be used for agronomical and biotechnological applications. Furthermore, the genes involved in the SL biosynthetic pathway and genes regulated by SL constitute interesting targets for plant breeding. Therefore, it is necessary to decipher and better understand the genetic determinants of their regulation at different levels.

Roles of DgD14 in regulation of shoot branching in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Jinba')

Shoot branching plays an important role in determining plant architecture. Strigolactones (SLs) negatively regulate shoot branching, and can respond to conditions of low or absent phosphate or nitrogen. The D14 gene is a probable candidate as an SL receptor in rice, petunia, and Arabidopsis. To investigate the roles of D14 in shoot branching of chrysanthemum, we isolated the D14 homolog DgD14. Functional analysis showed that DgD14 was a nuclear-localized protein, and restored the phenotype of Arabidopsis d14-1. Exogenous SL (GR24) could down-regulate DgD14 expression, but this effect could be overridden by apical auxin application. Decapitation could down-regulate DgD14 expression, but this effect could be restored by exogenous auxin. In addition, DgD14 transcripts produced rapid responses in shoot and root under conditions of phosphate absence, but only a mild variation in bud and stem with low nitrogen treatment. Indistinct reductions of P levels in shoot were observed in plants grown under low nitrogen conditions. The absence of phosphate and low levels of nitrogen negatively affected plant growth. These results demonstrate that P levels in shoot had a close relationship with phosphate, whereas nitrogen did not directly regulate DgD14 expression in shoot. Taken together, these results demonstrated that DgD14 was the functional strigolactone signaling component in chrysanthemum.