PECTIN ACETYLESTERASE12 regulates shoot branching via acetic acid and auxin accumulation in alfalfa shoots.

Shoot branching is an important biological trait affecting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production, but its development is complicated and the mechanism is not fully clear. In the present study, pectin acetylesterase 12 (MsPAE12) and NAM/ATAF/CUC-domain transcription factor gene (MsNAC73) were isolated from alfalfa.

The MsDHN1-MsPIP2;1-MsmMYB module orchestrates the trade-off between growth and survival of alfalfa in response to drought stress.

Dehydrins and aquaporins play crucial roles in plant growth and stress responses by acting as protector and controlling water transport across membranes, respectively. MsDHN1 (dehydrin) and MsPIP2;1 (aquaporin) were demonstrated to interact with a membrane-anchored MYB protein, MsmMYB (as mMYB) in plasma membrane under normal condition. MsDHN1, MsPIP2;1 and MsDHN1-MsPIP2;1 positively regulated alfalfa tolerance to water deficiency.

Identification and Alternative Splicing Profile of the Gene in Grass Species.

() is an important enzyme in the synthesis pathway of raffinose from sucrose and galactinol in higher plants and is involved in the regulation of seed development and plant responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, we analyzed the families and profiled their alternative splicing patterns at the genome-wide scale from 10 grass species representing crops and grasses. A total of 73 genes were identified from grass species such as rice, maize, foxtail millet, and switchgrass.

Hydrogen sulfide improves tall fescue photosynthesis response to low-light stress by regulating chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolisms.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS), as a gaseous messenger molecule, plays critical roles in signal transduction and biological modulation. In the present study, the roles of HS in regulating chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) contents to improve photosynthesis in tall fescue were investigated under low-light (LL) stress. Compared to control conditions, LL stress significantly reduced total biomass, net photosynthetic rate (P), maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F/F), and the contents of Chl and Car.

Drought stress and plant ecotype drive microbiome recruitment in switchgrass rhizosheath.

The rhizosheath, a layer of soil grains that adheres firmly to roots, is beneficial for plant growth and adaptation to drought environments. Switchgrass is a perennial C4 grass which can form contact rhizosheath under drought conditions. In this study, we characterized the microbiomes of four different rhizocompartments of two switchgrass ecotypes (Alamo and Kanlow) grown under drought or well-watered conditions via 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing.