Trends in Plant Science

Silencing mitochondrial genes: a potential new frontier in plant science Cruz-Zaragoza et al. recently introduced a groundbreaking method to silence targeted mitochondrial gene expression in human cells. The approach uses peptide-morpholino chimeras delivered into the mitochondria to block specific mRNA translation. If adapted, this technique can revolutionize our ability to probe plant mitochondrial function and retrograde signaling with unprecedented precision.

Silencing mitochondrial genes: a potential new frontier in plant science #plantscience

From convergence to design in pattern recognition receptors Plants rely on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect pathogens, yet PRRs differ across species. Ngou et al. show that convergent evolution yields a shared recognition logic in the selective cold shock protein receptor (SCORE) for bacterial cold shock protein peptides. Structure-guided design yields synthetic SCORE variants that broaden detection, offering robust, broad-spectrum crop resistance.

From convergence to design in pattern recognition receptors #plantscience

Identification and functional characterization of Z-DNA in plants Z-DNA (a left-handed helical form of DNA) is a left-handed double-helical DNA conformation, typically enriched with putative Z-DNA-forming sequences (PZFSs). Currently, three different methodologies have been successfully developed for global profiling of in vitro or in vivo Z-DNA loci: in silico prediction tools such as DeepZ, Z-Hunt, Z-GENIE, and Z-Seeker; Z22-based immunoprecipitation (IP) combined with sequencing techniques such as ZIP-seq (Z22-based IP-seq) or CUT&Tag; and Zαα (an engineered/recombinant protein containing two Zα domains in tandem)-based ChIP-seq.

Identification and functional characterization of Z-DNA in plants #plantscience

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11th February, International Day of Women and Girls in Science: drawing attention to the fact that women are still underrepresented in many scientific disciplines. Watch this space for an upcoming Trends in Plant Science series on women in plant science
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February Issue. Read FREE: Focus issue on plant epigenetics (see artist inspired cover); Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait; Precision plant epigenome editing; Expanding plant epigenetic code & much more www.cell.com/trends/plant...

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Eclipse of reason: debunking speculative anticipatory behavior in trees Advancing plant behavior research requires robust experimental design, falsifiable hypotheses, sufficient replication, and stringent controls. A recent study claims that Picea abies trees collectively anticipate solar eclipses via electrical signaling. Despite widespread media attention, these claims rely on speculative interpretations and unsubstantiated evolutionary assumptions. Systematic evaluation shows no causal link between electrical activity and solar eclipse, and an absence of reliable environmental cues or adaptive benefits. Instead, the elevated electrical activity is more parsimoniously explained by temperature shifts and lightning strikes. Moreover, the proposed mechanisms of intertree communication and gravitational memory lack empirical support and theoretical grounding. This case exemplifies how compelling narratives can overshadow scientific rigor, underscoring the need for critical appraisal and methodological robustness in plant behavior research.

Eclipse of reason: debunking speculative anticipatory behavior in trees #plantscience

Stomata-centered nanoguardians: revolutionizing plant pathogen defense A novel nanotechnology platform targets stomatal guard cells to fortify crops against pathogens. Puangpathumanond et al. have developed surface-engineered nanocarriers that deliver antimicrobial agents directly to stomata, restricting pathogen invasion and infection. This breakthrough paves the way for precise, eco-friendly crop protection, addressing global food security challenges.

Stomata-centered nanoguardians: revolutionizing plant pathogen defense #plantscience

Beneficial microbes in agriculture: curse or blessing? In modern agriculture, microbial inoculants isolated and collected from all over the world have gained popularity as a means of reducing the amount of fertilizer by increasing the availability of nutrients and mitigating environmental stress that is often connected with climate change. Concerning biocontrol, microbial inoculants are known to be effective in integrated pest management. However, the introduction of alien microbes can lead to the emergence of antagonists of the natural soil microbiota, which might drastically change the latter and ultimately have a negative impact on the whole natural soil ecosystem, causing unforeseeable consequences. We will discuss various aspects of the employment of microbial inoculants in agriculture, with a focus on the largely neglected threat posed by potentially invasive microbes.

Beneficial microbes in agriculture: curse or blessing? #plantscience

Signaling peptides at the crossroad of root endosymbioses In the heterogeneous and fluctuating environments in which plants grow, they must efficiently acquire essential nutrients to sustain growth and development. Root endosymbioses, including dinitrogen (N2)-fixing nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhization, enable plants to cope with limitations of soil mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Secreted signaling peptides have recently emerged as key regulators of these two evolutionarily related endosymbioses, including the C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDES (CEPs) and the CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION RELATED (CLE) peptides. By elucidating the intricate relationships between these signaling peptides and nutrient dynamics, we highlight in this review their potential as targets for coordinating and prioritizing plant nutrition in limiting environments.

Signaling peptides at the crossroad of root endosymbioses #plantscience

January Issue.Read FREE:What genes make a tree a tree?(cover); Phosphorus acquisition and pathogen defense:synergies vs.Trade-offs;Sustained cereal bowl under growing temperatures of climate change;Evolution of sTyr peptides,receivers&activators &much more www.cell.com/trends/plant...
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Heterogeneity in seed traits: an overlooked breeding opportunity Uniformity among seeds within a cultivar impacts seed quality and milling efficiency. Advances in hyperspectral imaging enable quantification of variability among individual seeds, facilitating treatment of seed heterogeneity as a heritable trait. We argue seed trait heterogeneity may be heritable and propose a roadmap to support breeding for uniform cultivars.

Heterogeneity in seed traits: an overlooked breeding opportunity #plantscience

Rapid in-plant directed evolution with GRAPE A recent breakthrough study by Zhu et al. introduced the platform GRAPE (geminivirus replicon-assisted in planta directed evolution). GRAPE remediates plant-directed evolutionary bottlenecks by linking rolling-circle replication (RCR) to protein function; selection occurs via replicon amplification, delivering microbe-like throughput in planta while preserving native plant signaling and defense.

Rapid in-plant directed evolution with GRAPE #plantscience

Single cell multi-omics atlases unlock cellular mysteries Understanding cell type-specific gene regulatory programs is crucial to decipher the regulation of important traits. Recent multiome studies by Zhang et al. and Wang et al. generated single cell-resolution atlases integrating gene expression and chromatin accessibility, uncovering regulatory networks and developmental transitions that provide novel insights into the regulation of agronomic traits.

Single cell multi-omics atlases unlock cellular mysteries #plantscience

Viral condensates orchestrate plant infection Despite growing evidence that viruses exploit liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), the significance of LLPS during infection remains elusive. Two recently published papers reveal that plant viruses use LLPS to reprogram host systems, promoting replication and immune suppression. These studies redefine LLPS as an active regulatory hub in plant–virus interactions.

Viral condensates orchestrate plant infection #plantscience

Fiber-seq: mapping chromatin accessibility via long-read sequencing #plantscience

Next-generation genome editing: no transgene, no tissue culture New approaches to engineering plant genomes have the potential to improve agriculture. However, transgenes insertion and tissue culture have become bottlenecks to genome-editing technology becoming widely adopted and achieving the promise of targeted editing. Recent developments in particle bombardment and viral vector-mediated delivery can open doors to overcome these limitations.

Next-generation genome editing: no transgene, no tissue culture #plantscience

Herd immunity in crops? Lessons from human epidemiology Herd immunity describes indirect disease protection in heterogeneous, partly immune populations. This concept is rarely discussed for agricultural crops, although crop heterogeneity can reduce pathogen transmission. We discuss disease suppression in diversified crop fields and illustrate how entire fields could benefit from treatment of individual plants, leading to herd immunity.

Herd immunity in crops? Lessons from human epidemiology #plantscience

Trends in Plant Science will continue to support diverse voices and accessibility, ensuring cutting-edge plant research can be found, understood, and used by many.
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Happy New Year to all our peer-reviewers, contributors, and readers! As we welcome the New Year, a heartfelt thanks for your amazing and vital support, your trust, and your commitment. I am excited about the ideas, collaborations, covers, and breakthroughs that 2026 will bring.
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Clarifying chloroplast-related organelles in animals: kleptoplasts and kleptosomes In a recent issue of Cell, the cover story introduces the ‘kleptosome’, a newly identified organelle in Elysia crispata. Here, we will discuss the significance of this definition and explore the potential for engineering photosynthetic systems within animal cells.

Clarifying chloroplast-related organelles in animals: kleptoplasts and kleptosomes #plantscience

Nonhistone deacetylation: a switch for crop resilience HISTONE DEACETYLASE (HDAC)-mediated nonhistone deacetylation is an evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification (PTM) essential for plant stress adaptation. Recently, two HDAC modules involved in plant responses to drought and pathogens, respectively, were functionally analyzed by Liu et al. and Zhang et al., providing evidence that biotic and abiotic stress-triggered relief of deacetylation functions as a switch for crop resilience.

Nonhistone deacetylation: a switch for crop resilience #plantscience

The plant pyruvate hub Pyruvate serves as a central node in plant metabolism. Together with its high-energy form, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), it links core carbon pathways to the biosynthesis of terpenoids, phenolics, and fatty acids. Specialized cell types in vascular, endosperm, and photosynthetic tissues utilize these precursors to favor the formation of lignin, fatty acids, and terpenoid pigments, respectively. Pyruvate contributes to both terpenoid precursor pathways and forms a metabolic loop that both depends on and supports photosynthesis. The numerous sources and fates of pyruvate underscore its role as one of the most centralized metabolites in plant biology. We review the regulation of pyruvate synthesis, consumption, and trafficking via translocator expression and allosteric enzyme control, including opportunities to engineer terpenoid biosynthesis by manipulating precursor supply.

The plant pyruvate hub #plantscience

Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait Adaptation of multicellular organisms to new environments can leave distinct signatures in their genomic architecture. Although previous efforts have unveiled the dynamics of (epi)genome evolution, our understanding remains incomplete regarding how phenotypic innovation is achieved by relaxing or constraining the identity of a genome over generations while adjusting to dynamic environments. Using plants, we first compile a list of candidate epigenetic regulators which we refer to as 'epigenetic toolkit' proteins. We propose a new framework for examining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait during plant adaptation. This could predict how feedback mechanisms between (a)biotic environmental factors and innate regulation of genome architecture can destabilize the homeostatic state of a plant and thereby inherently reshape the (epi)genetic landscapes for both short- and long-term habitat adaptation.

Defining the epigenetic toolkit as an evolvable trait #plantscience

Root-driven microbiome memory enhances plant disease resistance Root-driven microbiome memory imprints biological and chemical legacies in soil, boosting plant disease resistance across generations. In a recent study, Wu et al. found flavonoids acting as key mediators, recruiting protective microbes and lowering pathogen severity beyond one crop cycle. Here, we highlight this concept, its limitations, and opportunities for sustainable disease resistance in agriculture.

Root-driven microbiome memory enhances plant disease resistance #plantscience

December Issue. Read FREE: Genetically encoded betalain-based RUBY visual reporters (cover); Time to spice-up paleontological records with bryophyte spores; Arabinosylation in small peptide signaling; Plant tannins and organic nitrogen cycle &much more www.cell.com/trends/plant...
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Transposable elements: mediators of epigenetic inheritance in plants DNA methylation plays an important role in plant development and stress adaptation; however, the inheritance of DNA methylation remains poorly understood. A recent study (Baduel et al.) reveals that transposable elements (TEs) mediate transgenerational epigenetic inheritance by influencing the maintenance or reversion of DNA methylation patterns across generations via RNA-directed DNA methylation.

Transposable elements: mediators of epigenetic inheritance in plants #plantscience

How microalgae conserve carbon #plantscience

Communication between chloroplasts and the endoplasmic reticulum in plants under abiotic stress #plantscience

Balancing defense and growth: antagonist of systemin receptor Systemin mediates systemic defense against pathogens and herbivores in solanaceous plants. However, constitutive activation of systemin-mediated defense can adversely impact plant growth. Recently, Wang et al. revealed their discovery of antiSYS, which functions as a system receptor antagonist and is instrumental in striking a balance between defense and growth.

Balancing defense and growth: antagonist of systemin receptor #plantscience