plant-biology

Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-76840-6 Genetic resources with combined resistance to drought and blast disease are scarce. Here, the authors identify NLR8-Hap2, a natural allele of the rice NLR gene NLR8 that encodes an LRR-truncated protein, and show that it enhances resistance to both stresses by stabilizing two distinct transcription factors.

Scientific Data, Published online: 15 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-08096-0 Chromosome-level genome assemblies of the parental lines of GCH-7, a high-performing castor ( Ricinus communis L.) hybrid

Nature Communications, Published online: 13 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-76499-z Here, the authors show that a WRKY36-ETP2-EIN2/WRKY22 module balances UVB and flood tolerance in Arabidopsis. They identify a promoter deletion in a Tibet accession that boosts UVB defense but reduces flood tolerance, while a SNP fine-tunes repression, suggesting stepwise climate adaptation.

A research team has uncovered a possible epigenetic mechanism that enables the elite 'Shuxinyou' (SXY) cultivar of Aquilaria sinensis to produce agarwood more efficiently than ordinary 'Baimu' (BM). Following controlled wounding, SXY accumulated almost four times as much alcohol-soluble resin extract as BM and showed stronger activation of terpenoid biosynthesis.

As heat waves intensify, helping crops survive sudden temperature spikes has become a practical goal for vegetable production. A new tomato study identifies a small sulfur-containing gas signal, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), as a key part of the plant's heat-defense system. The work shows that the SlLCD1 gene helps generate endogenous H₂S during heat stress, allowing tomato plants to limit cellular inj…

Chitosan, a natural derivative of chitin, can alert plants to danger and is already used in crop-protection products, yet scientists have not fully understood how grapevines detect it. A new study identifies the lysin motif receptor-like kinase VvLYK4-2 as a key molecular component connecting chitosan perception with early immune signaling in grapevine. By combining cross-species complementation,…

Chitosan, a natural derivative of chitin, can alert plants to danger and is already used in crop-protection products, yet scientists have not fully understood how grapevines detect it. A new study identifies the lysin motif receptor-like kinase VvLYK4-2 as a key molecular component connecting chitosan perception with early immune signaling in grapevine. By combining cross-species complementation,…

Cold snaps can restrict tea growth, damage young leaves, and reduce crop yield and quality, yet the molecular links between hormone signaling and cold defense have remained unclear. A new study identifies a brassinosteroid-responsive regulatory module that helps tea plants withstand low temperatures.

Cold snaps can restrict tea growth, damage young leaves, and reduce crop yield and quality, yet the molecular links between hormone signaling and cold defense have remained unclear. A new study identifies a brassinosteroid-responsive regulatory module that helps tea plants withstand low temperatures.

Plants can distinguish between closely related beneficial bacterial strains and respond differently depending on the dose they receive. Researchers primed melon (Cucumis melo) seeds with two Bacillus strains and found that while both ultimately enhanced stress resilience, they triggered distinct developmental, metabolic, and defense programs. The work reveals that plants do not merely respond to …