Breeding for disease resistance is the most effective strategy to control diseases, particularly with broad-spectrum disease resistance in many crops. However, knowledge on genes and mechanism of broad-spectrum resistance and tradeoff between defense and growth in crops is limited. Here, we show that the rice copine genes OsBON1 and OsBON3 are critical suppressors of immunity. Both OsBON1 and OsBON3 changed their protein subcellular localization upon pathogen challenge.

The genus of Aspergillus holds fungi relevant to plant and human pathology, food biotechnology, enzyme production, model organisms, and a selection of extremophiles. Here we present six whole-genome sequences that represent unexplored branches of the Aspergillus genus. The comparison of these genomes with previous genomes, coupled with extensive chemical analysis, has allowed us to identify genes for toxins, antibiotics, and anticancer compounds, as well as show that Aspergillus novofumigatus is potentially as pathogenic as Aspergillus fumigatus, and has an even more diverse set of secreted bioactive compounds.

Intermediate outcrossing rates are theoretically predicted to maintain effective selection against harmful alleles, but few studies have empirically tested this prediction with the use of genomic data. We used whole-genome resequencing data from alpine rock-cress to study how genetic variation and purifying selection vary with mating system. We find that populations with intermediate outcrossing rates have similar levels of genetic diversity as outcrossing populations

Plant roots activate lateral branching in response to contact with available water, but the mechanism by which this environmental signal is perceived is poorly understood. Through a combination of empirical and mathematical-modeling approaches we discovered a central role of tissue growth in this process. Growth causes water uptake, and the biophysical changes that occur during this process are interpreted by the organism to position new lateral branches.

Chloroplast genes are transcribed by the PEP or NEP. FRUCTOKINASE-LIKE PROTEINS (FLNs) are phosphofructokinase-B (PfkB)-type carbohydrate kinases that act as part of the PEP complex; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying FLNs activity in rice remain elusive. Previously, we identified and characterized a heat-stress sensitive albino (hsa1) mutant in rice. Map-based cloning revealed that HSA1 encodes a putative OsFLN2. Here, we further demonstrated that knockdown or knockout of the OsFLN1

Storage roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a major subsistence crop of sub-Saharan Africa, are calorie rich but deficient in essential micronutrients, including provitamin A β-carotene. In this study, β-carotene concentrations in cassava storage roots were enhanced by co-expression of transgenes for deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) and bacterial phytoene synthase (crtB), mediated by the patatin-type 1 promoter.

In flowering plants, the female germ line begins as a single cell known as the megaspore mother cell (MMC) in each ovule. The mechanisms that restrict MMC fate to a single cell remain largely unknown. We show that the Arabidopsis cytochrome P450 gene KLU acts through the chromatin remodeling complex SWR1 to promote WRKY28 expression in ovule primordia

The biofortification of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] lines will have great impact in semiarid regions, since the crop provides a rich source of food, especially of iron and zinc. The aim of the current study was to assess the adaptability and stability of iron and zinc concentrations and grain yield in cowpea lines to release new cultivars. Forty-four genotypes were distributed in two experiments, climbing and upright lines, with different population densities.

Coffee Leaf Rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix (Hv), represents the biggest threat to coffee production worldwide and ranks amongst the most serious fungal diseases in history. Despite a recent series of outbreaks and emergence of hyper-virulent strains, the population evolutionary history and potential of this pathogen remains poorly understood. To address this issue, we used RADseq to generate ∼19,000 SNPs across a worldwide collection of 37 Hv samples.

The physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) cultivars to soil drought at the tuberization phase and their impact on agronomically important traits were investigated in potted plants under semi-controlled conditions. Genotype-dependent responses of potato to water deficiency were evaluated on two pairs (tolerant/sensitive) of Polish cultivars. Each pair of cultivars had a similar genetic background but was extremely different in terms of drought tolerance evaluated on the basis of loss of tuber yield under field conditions.