@article{liu_drought_2026,
	title = {A drought stress-induced {MYB} transcription factor regulates pavement cell shape in leaves of {European} aspen ({Populus} tremula)},
	volume = {251},
	copyright = {© 2026 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2026 New Phytologist Foundation.},
	issn = {1469-8137},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nph.71399},
	doi = {10.1111/nph.71399},
	abstract = {Leaf pavement cells of many plant species develop jigsaw puzzle-like shapes in which neighboring cells interdigitate, providing an ideal model for the study of cell shape regulation. Such shapes are likely to reduce tissue-wide mechanical stress, which is influenced by environmental conditions, such as drought stress. We analyzed pavement cell shape complexity in a natural population of European aspen (Populus tremula) genotypes and used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify a candidate gene in cell shape regulation, Potra2n8c18226, encoding the transcription factor MYB305a. We subsequently validated a role for MYB305a in regulating aspen leaf pavement cell shape. We then demonstrated that drought stress strongly induces MYB305a promoter expression in these cells and provided evidence that MYB305a plays a role in regulating pavement cell shape in response to drought. Finally, we observed correlations of pavement cell shape complexity with water-use efficiency and average precipitation at the original sampling sites, in the natural aspen population. Taken together, our results suggest climatic variables affect shape complexity of pavement cells in aspen leaf and provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies on this process, by implicating the involvement of the transcription factor MY305a.},
	language = {en},
	number = {5},
	urldate = {2026-08-10},
	journal = {New Phytologist},
	author = {Liu, Sijia and Doyle, Siamsa M. and Robinson, Kathryn M. and Rahneshan, Zahra and Street, Nathaniel R. and Robert, Stéphanie},
	year = {2026},
	keywords = {Cell Shape, Droughts, European aspen (Populus tremula), GWAS, Gene Expression Regulation, Plant, Genome-Wide Association Study, Plant Leaves, Plant Proteins, Populus, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Stress, Physiological, Transcription Factors, cell shape, drought, leaf pavement cells},
	pages = {2688--2705},
}

Leaf pavement cells of many plant species develop jigsaw puzzle-like shapes in which neighboring cells interdigitate, providing an ideal model for the study of cell shape regulation. Such shapes are likely to reduce tissue-wide mechanical stress, which is influenced by environmental conditions, such as drought stress. We analyzed pavement cell shape complexity in a natural population of European aspen (Populus tremula) genotypes and used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify a candidate gene in cell shape regulation, Potra2n8c18226, encoding the transcription factor MYB305a. We subsequently validated a role for MYB305a in regulating aspen leaf pavement cell shape. We then demonstrated that drought stress strongly induces MYB305a promoter expression in these cells and provided evidence that MYB305a plays a role in regulating pavement cell shape in response to drought. Finally, we observed correlations of pavement cell shape complexity with water-use efficiency and average precipitation at the original sampling sites, in the natural aspen population. Taken together, our results suggest climatic variables affect shape complexity of pavement cells in aspen leaf and provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies on this process, by implicating the involvement of the transcription factor MY305a.

@article{anjam_single-cell_2026,
	title = {Single-cell laser ablation uncovers the blueprint of plant development},
	issn = {1360-1385},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360138526001329},
	doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2026.04.029},
	abstract = {Understanding how positional information within plant tissues shapes developmental programs in real time has long remained a challenge due to technical limitations in precisely accessing and manipulating defined cellular domains within complex tissues. Recent advances in single-cell laser ablation, particularly when combined with confocal microscopy, now allow precise spatiotemporal perturbation of selected cells. This technology has enabled researchers to dissect cellular functions, communication dynamics, and mechanical responses with unprecedented accuracy. Here, we review how laser ablation has emerged as a transformative approach in plant biology, from unraveling the signaling networks governing meristem maintenance and root patterning to modeling wound responses and immune activation.},
	urldate = {2026-05-29},
	journal = {Trends in Plant Science},
	author = {Anjam, Muhammad S. and Di Fino, Luciano Martín and Ma, Xuemin and Marhavý, Peter},
	month = may,
	year = {2026},
	keywords = {phytohormone crosstalk, single-cell ablation, tissue regeneration, wound signaling},
}

Understanding how positional information within plant tissues shapes developmental programs in real time has long remained a challenge due to technical limitations in precisely accessing and manipulating defined cellular domains within complex tissues. Recent advances in single-cell laser ablation, particularly when combined with confocal microscopy, now allow precise spatiotemporal perturbation of selected cells. This technology has enabled researchers to dissect cellular functions, communication dynamics, and mechanical responses with unprecedented accuracy. Here, we review how laser ablation has emerged as a transformative approach in plant biology, from unraveling the signaling networks governing meristem maintenance and root patterning to modeling wound responses and immune activation.

@article{carlsson_cross-generational_2026,
	title = {Cross-generational decline in genomic selection accuracy in {Norway} spruce ({Picea} abies ({L}.) {H}. {Karst}) and strategies to mitigate it},
	volume = {37},
	issn = {1993-0607},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-026-02108-w},
	doi = {10.1007/s11676-026-02108-w},
	abstract = {Genomic selection (GS) could be used to reduce the long cycle time for tree breeding. This assumes that marker-based predictions are sufficiently accurate without phenotypes. We evaluated GS across two linked generations of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst), the first consisting of 954 plus-trees (G0) and the second of 956 progeny trees representing 34 full-sib families (G1), using 16 clonal field trials across mid- and southern Sweden. Both generations were measured for height and genotyped using a 50 K SNP chip array. Cross-validations within and across generations were compared. GS efficiency was evaluated using global prediction accuracy and within-family predictive ability, using GBLUP with phenotypes for independent validation. We used computer simulations to emulate the experimental data and repeat the same analysis under different assumptions of effective population size. Additional simulations were performed to investigate the cross-generation GS accuracy in future generations. Simulations assuming a historical effective population size of 1000 or 5000, together with experimental results, indicate that prediction accuracy decreased by 49–76\% for global prediction and by 15–65\% for within-family prediction when G1 was predicted from G0, compared with cross-validation within the G1 generation. Increasing the relatedness at the expense of training set size increased global accuracy but decreased within-family accuracy. Simulations of advanced generations showed that training on multiple generations increases GS accuracy, both for global and within-family prediction. Access to multiple generations for training and/or a higher density of markers may be recommended to increase accuracy for cross-generation and within-family GS in conifers.},
	language = {en},
	number = {1},
	urldate = {2026-08-10},
	journal = {Journal of Forestry Research},
	author = {Carlsson, Edward A. and Hallingbäck, Henrik R. and Ahlinder, Jon and Suontama, Mari and Wu, Harry X.},
	month = aug,
	year = {2026},
	keywords = {AlphaSimR, Cross-generation, Genomic selection (GS), Norway spruce, Within-family prediction},
	pages = {172},
}

Genomic selection (GS) could be used to reduce the long cycle time for tree breeding. This assumes that marker-based predictions are sufficiently accurate without phenotypes. We evaluated GS across two linked generations of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst), the first consisting of 954 plus-trees (G0) and the second of 956 progeny trees representing 34 full-sib families (G1), using 16 clonal field trials across mid- and southern Sweden. Both generations were measured for height and genotyped using a 50 K SNP chip array. Cross-validations within and across generations were compared. GS efficiency was evaluated using global prediction accuracy and within-family predictive ability, using GBLUP with phenotypes for independent validation. We used computer simulations to emulate the experimental data and repeat the same analysis under different assumptions of effective population size. Additional simulations were performed to investigate the cross-generation GS accuracy in future generations. Simulations assuming a historical effective population size of 1000 or 5000, together with experimental results, indicate that prediction accuracy decreased by 49–76% for global prediction and by 15–65% for within-family prediction when G1 was predicted from G0, compared with cross-validation within the G1 generation. Increasing the relatedness at the expense of training set size increased global accuracy but decreased within-family accuracy. Simulations of advanced generations showed that training on multiple generations increases GS accuracy, both for global and within-family prediction. Access to multiple generations for training and/or a higher density of markers may be recommended to increase accuracy for cross-generation and within-family GS in conifers.

@article{rao_myb17-dfrldox_2026,
	title = {{MYB17}-{DFR}/{LDOX} {Module} {Positively} {Regulates} {Cyanidin} {Deposition} in {Cinnamomum} {Camphora}},
	copyright = {© 2026 The Author(s). Plant, Cell \& Environment published by John Wiley \& Sons Ltd.},
	issn = {1365-3040},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pce.70664},
	doi = {10.1111/pce.70664},
	abstract = {Cinnamomum camphora is a cornerstone ornamental tree species in southern China, valued for its evergreen foliage and distinctive scent. However, the uniformly green foliage and brown bark limit its landscaping values. In this study, we characterised a coloured camphor variety, ‘Gantong 1’, and revealed cyanidin content as the critical factor responsible for its stem coloration. Correlation analysis indicated that the transcription factor CcMYB17 plays a crucial role in cyanidin accumulation. We functionally validated CcMYB17 through yeast one-hybrid assays, luciferase reporter assays and multi-omics analysis in a poplar model system. Our results demonstrate that CcMYB17 regulates the synergistic accumulation of cyanidin and delphinidin by activating key anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, specifically CcDFR and CcLDOX. This systematic elucidation of the colour mechanism ‘Gantong 1’ and the functional role of CcMYB17 deepens our understanding of ornamental trait improvement in C. camphora. It provides a foundation for molecular-assisted breeding of coloured woody trees.},
	language = {en},
	urldate = {2026-06-26},
	journal = {Plant, Cell \& Environment},
	author = {Rao, Shupei and Gong, Xue and Shen, Le and Li, Huihu and Zhang, Bo and Zhong, Yongda},
	month = jun,
	year = {2026},
	note = {\_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/pce.70664},
	keywords = {Cinnamomum camphora, MYB, anthocyanin, metabolome, molecular mechanism},
}

Cinnamomum camphora is a cornerstone ornamental tree species in southern China, valued for its evergreen foliage and distinctive scent. However, the uniformly green foliage and brown bark limit its landscaping values. In this study, we characterised a coloured camphor variety, ‘Gantong 1’, and revealed cyanidin content as the critical factor responsible for its stem coloration. Correlation analysis indicated that the transcription factor CcMYB17 plays a crucial role in cyanidin accumulation. We functionally validated CcMYB17 through yeast one-hybrid assays, luciferase reporter assays and multi-omics analysis in a poplar model system. Our results demonstrate that CcMYB17 regulates the synergistic accumulation of cyanidin and delphinidin by activating key anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, specifically CcDFR and CcLDOX. This systematic elucidation of the colour mechanism ‘Gantong 1’ and the functional role of CcMYB17 deepens our understanding of ornamental trait improvement in C. camphora. It provides a foundation for molecular-assisted breeding of coloured woody trees.

@article{melis_conformable_2026,
	title = {Conformable {Ferrimagnetic} {Tattoo} {Electrodes} for {Plant} {Electrophysiology}},
	copyright = {© 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Materials Technologies published by Wiley-VCH GmbH},
	issn = {2365-709X},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/admt.71156},
	doi = {10.1002/admt.71156},
	abstract = {Increasing global food demand and environmental stress call for technologies enabling continuous plant monitoring in precision agriculture. Electrical signals generated by plants during stress responses provide valuable information. However, their recording remains challenging, as conventional silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes require gel electrolytes to interface with plant tissues, limiting mechanical stability. Here, we report conformable ferrimagnetic tattoo electrodes for minimally invasive recording of plant electrophysiology. The electrodes are based on a PEDOT:PSS ink spray-coated onto tattoo carrier paper to form free-standing electrodes. They adhere to plant leaves via van der Waals forces and remain attached for several days. Their performance was evaluated in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). In both, the recordings of wound-activated surface potentials were comparable to those of conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes. The incorporation of ferrimagnetic particles enables magnetic coupling to the acquisition system, reducing mechanical stress and allowing repeatable electrical connections. This approach enables seamless monitoring of signal propagation and supports on-demand recordings. Importantly, electrophysiological measurements were successfully performed outside a Faraday cage, demonstrating robustness under realistic conditions. These conformable ferrimagnetic tattoo electrodes provide a scalable and adaptable interface for plant electrophysiology and open new opportunities for studying plant stress signaling and developing sensing technologies for precision agriculture.},
	language = {en},
	urldate = {2026-07-24},
	journal = {Advanced Materials Technologies},
	author = {Melis, Arianna and Spanu, Andrea and Viola, Fabrizio Antonio and Dar, Abdul Manan and Sandéhn, Alexandra and Routier, Cyril and Bonfiglio, Annalisa and Stavrinidou, Eleni},
	month = jul,
	year = {2026},
	note = {\_eprint: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/admt.71156},
	keywords = {conformable electronics, magnetic, plant electrophysiology, precision agriculture, slow wave potential, tattoo electrode},
	pages = {e71156},
}

Increasing global food demand and environmental stress call for technologies enabling continuous plant monitoring in precision agriculture. Electrical signals generated by plants during stress responses provide valuable information. However, their recording remains challenging, as conventional silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes require gel electrolytes to interface with plant tissues, limiting mechanical stability. Here, we report conformable ferrimagnetic tattoo electrodes for minimally invasive recording of plant electrophysiology. The electrodes are based on a PEDOT:PSS ink spray-coated onto tattoo carrier paper to form free-standing electrodes. They adhere to plant leaves via van der Waals forces and remain attached for several days. Their performance was evaluated in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). In both, the recordings of wound-activated surface potentials were comparable to those of conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes. The incorporation of ferrimagnetic particles enables magnetic coupling to the acquisition system, reducing mechanical stress and allowing repeatable electrical connections. This approach enables seamless monitoring of signal propagation and supports on-demand recordings. Importantly, electrophysiological measurements were successfully performed outside a Faraday cage, demonstrating robustness under realistic conditions. These conformable ferrimagnetic tattoo electrodes provide a scalable and adaptable interface for plant electrophysiology and open new opportunities for studying plant stress signaling and developing sensing technologies for precision agriculture.