Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology publishes new and significant information on the functional biology of plants at all scales from the molecular through whole plant to community. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Sergey Shabala

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Functional Plant Biology is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 29 May 2025

FP25041Identification of key pathways and associated transcription factor-miRNA-gene regulatory networks driving heterosis in cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Rasmieh Hamid, Bahman Panahi

and Feba Jacob

We investigated the molecular basis of heterosis in cotton (Gossypium spp.) using RNA-seq meta-analysis of root and bud tissues from hybrid and parental lines. A total of 591 differentially expressed genes were identified, with tissue-specific and shared patterns. Functional enrichment revealed key roles in circadian rhythm, water transport, and primary metabolism. Regulatory networks involving miRNAs, transcription factors, and target genes were reconstructed, providing novel insights into heterosis-associated gene regulation and a valuable framework for enhancing hybrid performance in breeding programs.

Published online 22 May 2025

FP24321Enhancing deep sowing success: genetic diversity in mesocotyl and coleoptile length, and field establishment of oats (Avena sativa)

Angelia Tanu

, Allan Rattey, Andrew Fletcher

, Sarah Rich

, Alexandra Taylor

and Erik Veneklaas

Oats (Avena sativa) are the only winter-cereal with a mesocotyl, potentially allowing them to be well-adapted to emerge from deep sowing. This research paper compares the mesocotyl, coleoptile, and total length of 195 oat varieties to look for genetic variation in these traits. The paper also compares the emergence of oats from deep sowing with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties.

FP24321 Abstract | FP24321 Full Text | FP24321PDF (1.6 MB) | FP24321Supplementary Material (390 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 22 May 2025

FP25023Decoding the expression patterns and characterisation of calmodulin and calmodulin-like gene families in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) under abiotic stresses

Ali Aslam

, Ruimin Zhang, Muhammad Waseem

, Zhang Huang, Ashir Masroor, Munazza Kiran, Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Tayyab, Rabia Nawaz, Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Naveed Babur, Sher Muhammad

, Muhammad Khuram Razzaq, Zainab Ahmad, Qinghua Shi, Ammara Tahir and Idrees Khan

This study identifies and characterises the calmodulin (CAM) and calmodulin-like (CML) gene family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Expression analyses under abiotic stress conditions revealed key genes potentially involved in stress responses, particularly drought and salinity. These findings provide insights into the functional roles of CaM and CML genes and their application in developing stress-tolerant watermelon varieties.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 15 May 2025

FP24355Past trauma, better future: how stress memory shapes plant adaptation to drought

Md. Mezanur Rahman

, Sanjida Sultana Keya, Mallesham Bulle, S.M. Ahsan, Md. Abiar Rahman, Md. Shyduzzaman Roni, Md. Mahmud Al Noor and Mehedi Hasan

This review explores plant drought memory, emphasizing molecular and physiological strategies plants use to encode, retain, and leverage stress imprints for enhanced resilience. The roles of DNA methylation, histone remodeling, small RNAs, and abscisic acid are highlighted. Memory-induced root system plasticity, transgenerational inheritance, and interactions with beneficial soil microbes are also discussed. By integrating cutting-edge tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and single-cell multi-omics, this work presents a path toward engineering drought-resilient crops to tackle climate volatility and global food security challenges.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 15 May 2025

FP24251Modulation of key sterol-related genes of Nicotiana benthamiana by phosphite treatment during infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi

Aayushree Kharel

, Mark Ziemann, James Rookes

and David Cahill

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a devastating plant pathogen and poses a serious threat to agricultural crops and forest ecosystems, and relies on plant sterols for its growth and reproduction. Our research shows that infection by P. cinnamomi disrupts sterol production in plants, altering this critical pathway. These findings highlight sterols as a promising target for developing innovative strategies to control this highly destructive pathogen and protect vulnerable plant species.

FP24251 Abstract | FP24251 Full Text | FP24251PDF (3.2 MB) | FP24251Supplementary Material (967 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 12 May 2025

FP24204Physiological and biochemical responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings to NaCl stress and analysis of salt tolerance thresholds

Lupeng Sun, Xin Cai, Dianjun Chen, Yang Cai and Fenghua Zhang

Although cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) has high salt tolerance, its growth is still affected by salt stress. Salt-tolerant cotton varieties protected the cell membrane structure by maintaining high antioxidant enzyme activity, low malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage. Thus, the normal physiological metabolism and photosynthetic system are maintained to confer high salt tolerance. This study provides clarification of the physiological mechanism of salt tolerance of cotton seedlings for growth on saline-alkaline land.

Published online 12 May 2025

FP25030Inhibitors of lysine biosynthesis enzymes as potential new herbicides

Emily R. R. Mackie, Mirrin V. McKay, Andrew S. Barrow and Tatiana P. Soares da Costa

Herbicides are critical for weed management, but options are dwindling given the continuous rise in herbicide-resistant weeds. This review describes the potential of targeting lysine production in weeds as a novel herbicide mode of action. Such new herbicide modes of action are urgently needed for sustainable agricultural productivity to ensure food security.

FP25030 Abstract | FP25030 Full Text | FP25030PDF (2.6 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 08 May 2025

FP24308Effect of CO₂ content in air on functioning of Arabidopsis thaliana photosynthetic electron transport chain

Boris N. Ivanov

, Marina A. Kozuleva, Natalia N. Rudenko, Lyudmila K. Ignatova, Elena M. Nadeeva, Ilya A. Naydov, Daria V. Vetoshkina, Daria V. Vilyanen and Maria M. Borisova-Mubarakshina

The CO₂ level in the air is an important factor affecting plant productivity. The present study shows that acclimation of Arabidopsis to both elevated and reduced CO₂ levels had similar negative effects on the function of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in higher plants. The results can help in the development of future strategies for genetic modification to offset the negative impact of changes in the air CO₂ content in any direction.

Published online 08 May 2025

FP25064Functional analysis of the CCoAOMT gene in Populus deltoides for enhancing tolerance to Alternaria burnsii

Ankit Yadav, Amar Sakure, Sushil Kumar

, Akarsh Parihar, Dimple Gor, Vidyut Balar and Pratibha

This study is important because it identifies a potential genetic approach to enhance plant resistance against Alternaria blight (Alternaria burnsii), a disease causing severe economic losses. By demonstrating the role of PdCCoAOMT in lignin biosynthesis and disease mitigation, it offers a novel strategy for crop protection. The findings could contribute to the development of resistant crop varieties, reducing yield losses and improving agricultural sustainability.

This article belongs to the collection: Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II.

Published online 01 May 2025

FP24201Same with less: a method to reduce destructive sampling to estimate nitrogen use efficiency components using allometric relationships in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Lorena Guardia-Velarde

, Jonathan E. Cope

, Holger Metzler, Anna Westerbergh and Martin Weih

Balanced nutrition ensures healthy growth in crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum) and other staple foods by improving nutrient use efficiency that is related to maximising yield while safeguarding natural resources and reducing environmental pollution. Improving nutrient use efficiency by crop breeding usually requires a lot destructive plant sampling and costly chemical analysis. Here, we propose a new method to significantly reduce the destructive sampling and support the breeding of more N efficient crops.

FP24201 Abstract | FP24201 Full Text | FP24201PDF (1.7 MB) | FP24201Supplementary Material (542 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 01 May 2025

FP24337An overview of cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassica napus

Zunaira Farooq, Ahmad Ali

, Hongjie Wang, Muhammad Zeeshan Mola Bakhsh, Shipeng Li, Ying Liu, Shuo Wu, Aisha Almakas, Shouping Yang and Yi Bin

Cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration is an important component of hybrid seed industry in rapeseed (Brassica napus), while its genetic and molecular mechanism is not yet clear. In this review, we discuss male sterility resources in rapeseed and modes of sterility induction, providing updated information of various CMS in Brassica and its implications in hybrid breeding.

Published online 29 April 2025

FP24335Colour shifts and photoprotection: how the common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) adapts to sun and shade

Hiromitsu Nakajima

Polytrichum commune, a common moss, exhibits a distinct colour difference (green in shade and yellow-green in sun) within the same community. This study addressed the key question why the moss shifts its colour depending on light conditions and clarified how the moss changes its pigment composition and enhances photoprotection, leading to the colour shift. These findings highlight the intricate mechanisms plants use to thrive in varying light conditions, which could inspire advancements in plant science and ecology.

Published online 29 April 2025

FP25012Phytochrome A in etiolated wild-type and albino barley seedlings: a far-red pulse induces interconversion between the two physicochemically and functionally distinct phyA types – phyA′ into phyA″

V. Sineshchekov

and L. Koppel

Light both supplies plants with energy and informs them of the environmental light conditions. Light information is obtained by an elaborate receptor system, which includes phytochromes. Phytochrome A, a major photoreceptor, was investigated, confirming its structural and functional heterogeneity and showing that the adaptation of a plant to the light environment includes redistribution of phytochomes between its native populations via their inter-transformations. This optimizes physiological processes in a plant, providing higher plants with evolutionary advantages.

Published online 22 April 2025

FP24295Light-driven modulation of plant response to water deficit. A review

K. Okon, M. Zubik-Duda and A. Nosalewicz

Agriculture productivity depends on water availability. Crop water use efficiency can be increased by deficit irrigation but the effect may be influenced by light quality and quantity. This review explores overlapping signalling pathways and important bioactive molecules in plants under these factors. Plant responses to water deficit vary with light intensity and spectrum (UV, blue, red). Optimising horticultural production through controlled light and deficit irrigation shows promise, but further research is needed to enhance resource efficiency and crop nutritional value.

Published online 17 April 2025

FP24229Seedlings of rye (Secale cereale) respond to freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and Solanum rostratum Dunal extract combined stress by increasing soluble protein and antioxidant enzyme activity

Xinyu Fan, Guozhang Bao

, Yunchao Xie, Yunqi Jiang, Cunxin Fan and Guomei Li

Freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and Solanum rostratum Dunal often have adverse effects on the stability of grassland ecosystem in north-east China. Combined stress of freeze-thaw, alkaline salt, and S. rostratum extract have obvious physiological damage to rye (Secale cereale) seedlings. During periods of frequent freeze-thaw, it is important to implement timely and targeted control measures against S. rostratum to reduce the adverse effects of combined stress on grassland ecosystems.

More content

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

FP25018, Accepted 28 May 2025

Identification and Analysis of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Family Genes in Oat (Avena sativa) and Their Potential Roles in Abiotic Stress Responses

Mouna Ghorbel, Ikram Zribi, Ahmed Alghamdi

, Khalil Mseddi

and Faical Brini

FP25018Abstract

FP24226, Accepted 22 May 2025

Spermidine synthase genes from mulberry play an important role in drought stress tolerance by altering antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulation

dan liu

, qiang lin, changyu qiu, xiaomei lu and ningjia he

FP24226Abstract

FP24323, Accepted 20 May 2025

Multivariate Analysis Reveals Physiological Trade-offs and Synergies in Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Kuntze Under Combinatorial Light and Nutrient Gradients

Khairul Azree Rosli

, Azizah Misran, Latifah Saiful Yazan and Puteri Edaroyati Megat Wahab

FP24323Abstract

FP24183, Accepted 19 May 2025

Trehalose application mitigates drought stress in sugar beet by enhancing photosynthesis, antioxidant activity and osmolyte production

Yuyu Hao, Yu Zhai, Piergiorgio Stevanato, Rui Li, Lihua Yu, Gui Geng, Lihua Wang, Yao Xu, Jiahui Liu

and Yuguang Wang

FP24183Abstract

FP24273, Accepted 14 May 2025

Iodine application induces the antioxidant defense system, alleviates salt stress, reduces nitrate content, and increases the nutritional value of lettuce plants

Osama Shalaby

FP24273Abstract

FP25021, Accepted 13 May 2025

Shaping the Future of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) through New Genetic Improvement Strategies

Nasser Abdullah Ghdayer Al Kaabi, Karthishwaran Kandhan, FAISAL HAYAT

, Saif Ali Matar Al Blooshi, Mohamed S. Sheteiwy and Mohammed Alyafei

FP25021Abstract

FP25090, Accepted 11 May 2025

Flag Leaf Metabolomics and Agronomic Performance in Rice Cultivars Under Nitrogen-Potassium Fertilization

Mahmoud Moustafa, Ambreen maqsood

, Muhammad Taimoor Shakeel, Muhammad Naveed Aslam, Khurram Shahzad, Idrees Haider

, Uthman Algopishi, Mohammed O. Alshaharni and Suliman Alrumman

FP25090Abstract

FP24357, Accepted 07 May 2025

Advanced Gene Editing Techniques for Enhancing Disease Resistance and Climate Resilience in Crops

Zareen Sarfraz, Yusra Zarlashat

, Alia Ambreen, Muhammad Mujahid and Muhammad Shahid Iqbal

FP24357Abstract

Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technology: shaping the future of photosynthetic microorganisms for biofuel production

Functional Plant Biology 52 (2)

Samreen Arshad, Muhammad Luqman Qadir, Nazim Hussain, Qurban Ali , Shiming Han, Daoud Ali
Challenges to optimal macadamia (Macadamia spp.) kernel quality in a changing climate

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Suzy Y. Rogiers , Kevin P. Quinlan, Jeremy D. Bright
Cerium oxide nanoparticles promoted lateral root formation in Arabidopsis by modulating reactive oxygen species and Ca²⁺ level

Functional Plant Biology 51 (10)

Guangjing Li, Quanlong Gao, Ashadu Nyande, Zihao Dong, Ehtisham Hassan Khan, Yuqian Han, Honghong Wu
Same with less: a method to reduce destructive sampling to estimate nitrogen use efficiency components using allometric relationships in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Functional Plant Biology 52 (5)

Lorena Guardia-Velarde , Jonathan E. Cope , Holger Metzler, Anna Westerbergh, Martin Weih
Regulation of alternative splicing in Catharanthus roseus in response to methyl jasmonate modulation during development and stress resilience

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Aala A. Abulfaraj , Abeer Al-Andal
Do cyanogenic glucosides help sorghum manage a fluctuating nitrogen supply?

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Bethany English, Alicia A. Quinn, Charles R. Warren, Roslyn M. Gleadow , Harry Myrans
Cyclic electron flow and Photosystem II-less photosynthesis

Functional Plant Biology 51 (11)

Maria Ermakova , Duncan Fitzpatrick, Anthony W. D. Larkum
Enhancing deep sowing success: genetic diversity in mesocotyl and coleoptile length, and field establishment of oats (Avena sativa)

Functional Plant Biology 52 (6)

Angelia Tanu , Allan Rattey, Andrew Fletcher , Sarah Rich , Alexandra Taylor , Erik Veneklaas
Inhibitors of lysine biosynthesis enzymes as potential new herbicides

Functional Plant Biology 52 (5)

Emily R. R. Mackie, Mirrin V. McKay, Andrew S. Barrow, Tatiana P. Soares da Costa
Modulation of key sterol-related genes of Nicotiana benthamiana by phosphite treatment during infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi

Functional Plant Biology 52 (6)

Aayushree Kharel , Mark Ziemann, James Rookes , David Cahill
Saltbush seedlings (Atriplex spp.) shed border-like cells from closed-type root apical meristems

Functional Plant Biology 51 (10)

Alison R. Gill , Rachel A. Burton
Overexpression of forage millet (Setaria italica) SiER genes enhances drought resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Hanjing Dai, Xiaoyi Huang, Yingrun Wang, Shoujing Zhu, Jieqin Li, Zhaoshi Xu, Jiacheng Zheng
Expression of heterosis in photosynthetic traits in F1 generation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) hybrids and relationship with yield traits

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Renjie Zhao, Yueqiao Li, Chen Xu, Zhian Zhang , Ziyang Zhou, Yihan Zhou, Zexin Qi
Overexpression of HvVDE gene improved light protection in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

Functional Plant Biology 51 (11)

Xiaojie Qu , Deyu Che, Fangting Qin, Guang Huang, Hongzhang Liu
Enhancing the productivity and resilience of rice (Oryza sativa) under environmental stress conditions using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology

Functional Plant Biology 52 (1)

Aamir Riaz , Muhammad Uzair , Ali Raza, Safeena Inam, Rashid Iqbal, Saima Jameel, Bushra Bibi, Muhammad Ramzan Khan
Effects of extra potassium supply and rootstocks indicate links between water, solutes and energy in Shiraz grapevines (Vitis vinifera) pericarps

Functional Plant Biology 51 (7)

Yin Liu , Stephen Tyerman , Leigh Schmidtke , Suzy Rogiers
Computational analysis and expression profiling of two-component system (TCS) gene family members in mango (Mangifera indica) indicated their roles in stress response

Functional Plant Biology 51 (7)

Muhammad Sadaqat, Kinza Fatima, Farrukh Azeem , Tayyaba Shaheen, Mahmood-ur- Rahman, Tehreem Ali, Wafa Abdullah I. Al-Megrin, Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar
Genome editing for improvement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in cereals

Functional Plant Biology 51 (9)

Safeena Inam, Amna Muhammad, Samra Irum, Nazia Rehman, Aamir Riaz , Muhammad Uzair , Muhammad Ramzan Khan
Molecular cloning and characterisation of root-specific SlREO promoter of the Indian tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar

Functional Plant Biology 51 (7)

Penki Jenny, Amar A. Sakure, Ankit Yadav, Sushil Kumar
The role of nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) transcription factor in plant growth and development

Functional Plant Biology 52 (4)

Jiayi Hong, Xiaofeng Feng, Yongping Cai, Muhammad Aamir Manzoor , Yunpeng Cao

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops - Volume II

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology papers summarises the technological and conceptual advances in genetics and functional genomics that have the potential to achieve the 2nd sustainable development goal of zero hunger under challenging climatic conditions. This collection represents Vol. II of this series.

Collection Editors
Sajid Fiaz (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Pakistan)
Muhammad Azhar Nadeem (Sivas University of Science and Technology, Turkey)
Inzamam Ul Haq (Gansu Agricultural University, China)

Last Updated: 22 May 2025

Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology includes articles summarising the technological and conceptual advancement in genetics and functional genomics with the potential for achieving the United Nations' second sustainable development goal of zero hunger under challenging climatic conditions. These articles illustrate the development of cutting-edge technologies helping researchers to develop germplasm with better resistance/tolerance for emerging food security threats.

Last Updated: 22 Apr 2025

Soil Microbiome and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology papers will focus on the intricate interactions between soil microbes and abiotic stress factors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals, and their collective impact on plant root physiology, growth, and hormonal dynamics. Emphasising the role of microbial communities in enhancing plant resilience, this collection will explore mechanisms that mitigate stress responses and improve crop performance. By integrating current research on microbial-plant interactions and abiotic stress, the collection aims to advance our understanding of sustainable agricultural practices and provide insights into strategies for improving plant productivity under environmental constraints.

Collection Editors
Dr Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer (Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology)
Dr Hafiz Haider Ali (Government College University Lahore (GCUL))
Dr Clarisse Brígido (Universidade de Évora)
Dr Debadatta Sethi (Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology)

Last Updated: 10 Apr 2025

Machine Learning for Plant Stress Phenotyping

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology explores cutting-edge phenotyping applications of machine learning approaches for stress detection and plant phenotyping at the different scales of their structural organisation.

Collection Editors
Jungpil Shin (University of Aizu, Japan)
Md. Al Mehedi Hasan (Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh)
Yong Seok Hwang (Kwangwoon University, Korea)

Last Updated: 20 Sep 2024

Flooding Stress and Responses to Hypoxia in Plants

This Collection of Functional Plant Biology focuses on ‘Flooding stress and responses to hypoxia in plants’ and includes papers demonstrating various plant responses to low-O₂ conditions, flooding stress and a combination of stresses commonly found in flooded areas. This compilation significantly advances our understanding of flooding stress and responses to low-O₂ levels in plants.

Collection Editors
Romy Schmidt-Schippers (University of Bielefeld, Germany)
Ole Pedersen (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Angelika Mustroph (University of Bayreuth, Germany)
Daan Weits (Utrecht University, Netherlands)
Juan Jiménez (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Last Updated: 15 Mar 2024

Understanding Mechanistic Basis of Plant Adaptation to Salinity and Drought

Drought and salinity are two major constraints in agriculture, restricting plant growth and yield in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, and in the majority of plants, growth ceases under extreme exposure to drought and salt stress. This collection of Functional Plant Biology papers focuses on the advances and progress in studying the underlying mechanisms of salinity and drought tolerance in plants, particularly those that are considered agriculturally important.

Collection Editors
Muhammad Waseem (Hainan University, Sanya, China)
Mehtab Muhammad Aslam (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China)
Sunil Kumar Sahu (Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen, China)

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2024

Editor’s Choice – ‘Abiotic stress signalling and adaptation’

Agricultural crop production has to be increased by 70% by 2050 to ensure food security and meet the challenge of feeding a population of 9.3 billion. The only way to meet this challenge is by identifying key genes and mechanisms mediating plant sensing, signalling and adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, and then using modern genetic tools to modify them, to enable better plant performance. The papers selected for this Functional Plant Biology Collection contribute to this task and, therefore, may be of substantial interest to readers.

Collection Editor
Professor Sergey Shabala, Editor-in-Chief

Last Updated: 02 Oct 2017

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