🌻 The Week in Botany April 17, 2023
This week is a hodge-podge of various methods of finding out what’s trending on Botanical Twitter, not all of them successful. One story most of the methods missed was the archaeological paper on the founder crops of the Neolithic. It’s an interesting story. When I studied archaeology the idea was that the Neolithic had a ‘package’ of crops that helped the transition to a sedentary lifestyle. Lots of papers have been chipping away at details of that story, and now someone has put it all together to show how Neolithic farming was a lot more diverse than people thought.
Also of interest, UK undergraduate students can apply for funded studentships in plant health this summer. That’s in the Careers section. There are some interesting projects listed.
Looking further afield, the arrival of Japanese on the site means the language interface is finished, for now. I’ll be seeing how they’re used in the long term before making any changes. But if you have requests for other languages, then feel free to send them to me. Annual report time is coming up, so if I can show there’s demand for another language then it could get added to any development plans.
There should be another email with you at the same time next week. Until then, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
On Botany One
How the Leaf Architecture of Desert Plants Impacts Their Survival Against Herbivory
A recent study reveals that specific leaf traits, such as vein architecture and mechanical properties, play a crucial role in helping desert plants withstand herbivory damage.
South African Succulents Predict Weather to Maximise Pollination Success
Bulbine frutescens keeps track of temperatures so it’s ready for passing pollinators.
Introducing Carlos Andrés Ordóñez Parra, our new Science Editor
Another new editor comes to Botany One, this time from South America.
You don’t have to lose pavements to grow trees in cities
Research shows that choosing the right pavements improves biodiversity below the soil, helping trees thrive above it.
The Curious Coordination of Mangroves, the Climate and Leaf Anatomy
When tackling extreme environments, mangroves don’t play by the same rules as most other plants.
News & Views
Plant domestication: Early crop plants were more easily 'tamed'
Research from Washington University in St. Louis calls for a reappraisal of the process of plant domestication, based on almost a decade of observations and experiments. The behavior of erect knotweed, a buckwheat relative, has WashU paleoethnobotanists completely reassessing our understanding of plant domestication.
Her tiny native plant habitat garden is flourishing. And she didn’t even need a yard
Barbara Chung may have the tiniest habitat garden in Los Angeles — some 200 mostly native plants in pots on her 7-by-20-foot townhouse terrace — and she’s happy to erase any doubts about whether patio habitats can really support wildlife.
Plant pandemics threatening global food supplies, scientists warn
‘We have to assume that plant diseases are going to spread all over the world,’ scientist says.
Understanding plant infection to protect key crops
The latest research from Professor Paul Birch and colleagues has discovered details of how major crop pathogens cause infection.
Monty Don says year of weather extremes wreaked havoc on his garden
The Gardener’s World horticulturalist is set to swap the gingers, cannas and dahlias for more hardy plants at Longmeadow, Herefordshire.
Keeping up with Kim Kardashian’s forest garden
This is a challenge to small-time gardeners like me. How can you commune with nature when the queen of artifice has entered the fray?
Britain’s most lovely private gardens — 3,500 of them — open to the public
The National Garden Scheme provides planting inspiration while raising money for charities.
Botanist Stefano Mancuso: ‘You can anaesthetise all plants. This is extremely fascinating’
An advocate of plant intelligence, the Italian author discusses the complex ways in which plants communicate, whether they are conscious, and what his findings mean for vegans.
‘How we heal as a nation’: the replanting and return of the forests of Tower Hill
A lush landscape devastated by colonisation, and a people disenfranchised and decimated – nearly two centuries later, could Tower Hill be returned to its former owners and glory?
California's superbloom is so big and bright, it can be seen from space
California's superbloom phenomenon is so big and bright this year it can be seen from space. NASA's Landsat 9 satellite, which was launched in 2021 to capture images of Earth's land surface, sent back images of bright purple and green blooms in Carrizo Plain National Park.
Enset, Ethiopia's remarkable 'tree against hunger' flowers at Kew Gardens for the first time
Enset (Ensete ventricosum), an African relative of the much-beloved banana plant, is flowering inside of Kew Gardens' Temperate House, marking the very first time this extraordinary plant has produced an inflorescence at the botanic garden. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew scientists and horticulturists are now encouraging visitors to hurry up and see the plant in bloom, as due to its monocarpic nature, the plant will flower only once and die.
How do trees die?
A tree leaves a legacy. While alive, it provides shade, home for many animals and a lifeline to fungi and other trees. When it dies, it continues to play an important role. It gives a boost to new trees ready to take its place, shelter to a different set of animals and, eventually, nourishment for the next generation of living things.
Scientific Papers
Genomic surveillance urgently needed to control wheat blast pandemic spreading across continents
A new study in PLOS Biology highlights the alarming potential of a pandemic clone of wheat blast disease to evolve fungicide-insensitive variants and argues the urgent need for genomic surveillance and preemptive breeding of resistant wheat.
Suppression of ETI by PTI priming to balance plant growth and defense through a MPK3/MPK6-WRKYs-PP2Cs module
Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) are required for host defense against pathogens. While PTI and ETI are intimately connected, molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Wang et al. showed that flg22 priming attenuates Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) AvrRpt2-induced hypersensitive cell death, resistance, and biomass reduction in Arabidopsis. MAPKs are the key signaling regulators of PTI and ETI. The absence of MPK3 and MPK6 significantly reduces pre-PTI-mediated ETI suppression (PES).
Function of environment-derived male perfumes in orchid bees
Henske et al. demonstrate that the possession of perfume increases male mating success and paternity in Euglossa dilemma, a species of orchid bees recently naturalized in Florida. We supplemented males reared from trap-nests with perfume loads harvested from wild conspecifics. In dual-choice experiments, males supplemented with perfumes mated with more females, and sired more offspring, than untreated, equal-aged, control males.
The Arabidopsis Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase regulates ammonium assimilation and glutamine metabolism
In eukaryotes, Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a well conserved kinase that controls cell metabolism and growth in response to nutrients and environmental factors. Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for plants, and TOR functions as a crucial N and amino acid sensor in animals and yeast. However, knowledge on the connections between TOR and the overall N metabolism and assimilation in plants is still limited. Ingargiola et al. investigated the regulation of TOR in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) by the N source as well as the impact of TOR deficiency on N metabolism.
OBERON3 and SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1-LIKE proteins form a regulatory module driving phloem development
Wallner et al. reveal that the ubiquitously expressed PHD-finger protein OBE3 forms a central module with the phloem-specific SMXL5 protein for establishing the phloem developmental program in Arabidopsis thaliana. By protein interaction studies and phloem-specific ATAC-seq analyses, they show that OBE3 and SMXL5 proteins form a complex in nuclei of phloem stem cells where they promote a phloem-specific chromatin profile. This profile allows expression of OPS, BRX, BAM3, and CVP2 genes acting as mediators of phloem differentiation.
The main factors that drive plant dieback under extreme drought differ among Mediterranean shrubland plant biotypes
This study analyzed differences in plant dieback after an unusual drought in 2014 and identified their main underlying factors in relation to three groups of explanatory variables: water availability, soil properties and vegetation structure attributes.
Increasing crop rotational diversity can enhance cereal yields
Smith et al. show that crop rotational diversity, measured as crop species diversity and functional richness, enhanced grain yields. This yield benefit increased over time. Only the yields of winter-sown small grain cereals showed a decline at the highest level of species diversity.
Taxonomic revision of Physalis in Mexico
Physalis (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) is an American genus of ca. 90 species, with its diversity centered on Mexico. Martínez et al. recognize 61 species within the country, for which they provide a generic morphological description, an artificial key to determine species, and brief descriptions.
Revisiting the concept of the ‘Neolithic Founder Crops’ in southwest Asia
Zohary and Hopf coined the term ‘founder crops’ to refer to a specific group of eight plants, namely three cereals (einkorn, emmer and barley), four legumes (lentil, pea, bitter vetch and chickpea), and a fibre/oil crop (flax), that founded early Neolithic agriculture in southwest Asia. Zohary considered these taxa as the first cultivated and domesticated species, as well as those that agricultural communities exploited and eventually spread to Europe and other regions. As a result, these eight species soon become the hallmark of the Neolithic plant-based subsistence. However, the ‘founder crops’ concept was defined at the end of the 1980s, when the development of agriculture was considered a rapid event, and therefore, terms like domestication, agriculture and plant cultivation were used interchangeably in the literature. The aim of this paper is thus to revisit concept of the ‘Neolithic founder crops’.
How to build a lichen: from metabolite release to symbiotic interplay
The signals involved in the transition of a fungus and a compatible photosynthetic partner from a free-living to a symbiotic state culminating in thallus formation, termed ‘lichenization’, and in the maintenance of the symbiosis, are poorly understood. Pichler et al. synthesise the puzzle pieces of the scarce knowledge available into an updated concept of signalling involved in lichenization.
Convergently selected NPF2.12 coordinates root growth and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat and barley
Siddiqui et al. performed a genome-wide scan using wheat and barley accessions characterized under low and high N inputs that uncovered the NPF2.12 gene, encoding a homolog of the Arabidopsis nitrate transceptor NRT1.6 and other low-affinity nitrate transporters that belong to the MAJOR FACILITATOR SUPERFAMILY.
A Gγ protein regulates alkaline sensitivity in crops
Alkaline soils limit the ability of plants to take in nutrients and manage salt stress. Zhang et al. have now identified a locus in sorghum that determines sensitivity to salty alkaline soils. The Alkali Tolerance 1 (AT1) locus encodes a guanine nucleotide–binding protein gamma subunit that regulates the phosphorylation of aquaporins, channels that can transport hydrogen peroxide to alleviate oxidative stress. Crops that could better manage growth on alkaline soils could open up agriculture to the millions of hectares of alkaline soils.
Hedyotis konhanungensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from the central highlands of Vietnam
A new species of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae), Hedyotis konhanungensis B.H. Quang, T.A. Le, K.S. Nguyen & Neupane, is described and illustrated from the central highlands of Vietnam based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species belongs to the morphologically diverse tribe Spermacoceae (ca. 1000 species) of the family Rubiaceae, which is represented by 70–80 species in Vietnam.
Endiandra macrocarpa (Lauraceae), a new tree species from south-western China
Endiandra macrocarpa, a new species of Endiandra (Lauraceae) from Yunnan Province of south-western China, is here described and illustrated, based on morphological evidence. Compared to other Endiandra species occurring in south China and the adjacent regions in Indochina, this species is mainly characterised by its much larger ellipsoidal fruits (up to 11 × 6 cm), as well as glabrous branchlets and puberulent inflorescences.
The herbarium of the future
The herbarium of the future, the ‘global metaherbarium’, will be a common, global, digitally interlinked and open-access resource that will stimulate large-scale and novel science to directly address our current biodiversity crisis.
Assessment of proline function in higher plants under extreme temperatures
Development of less temperature-responsive cultivars can be achieved by manipulating the biosynthesis of proline through genetic engineering. This review presents an overview of plant responses to extreme temperatures and an outline of proline metabolism under such temperatures. The exogenous application of proline as a protective molecule under extreme temperatures is also presented.
Careers
Plant Health Undergraduate Studentships 2023, UK
Bioscience undergraduates can now apply to the Royal Society of Biology's paid summer research projects. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of £350-£380 per week and gain great research experience working with leading plant health researchers on 8-10 week placements. Twelve research projects are available, based in various institutions across the UK. Details of the projects, eligibility and links to apply can be found on the studentships page: www.rsb.org.uk/plant-studentships.
Closes: 30 April 2023
Biological Sciences Instructor, California
Moorpark College, one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District, was founded in 1967. It serves approximately 15,000 students, and with a "students first" philosophy, empowers its diverse community of learners to complete their goals for academic transfer, basic skills, and career education.
Instructor of Biology, Florida
Florida Southern College invites applications for a full-time Instructor position in the Biology Department to begin in August 2023. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in Introductory Biology, both lecture and lab sections, equivalent to four courses during each academic semester. A major focus of this position is to support our first year student success initiatives. Experience in a broad range of biological content, with expertise in botany and plant science, is a plus.
Research Assistant (Biological Sciences), Singapore
The successful candidate will work with CHEW Fook Tim under a project on Genetic Improvement of Indoor Farming Crops.
Postdoctoral Researcher/Doctoral Researcher in Developmental Biology, Helsinki
This project aims to investigate how environmental fluctuations modify developmental processes at the molecular level by using stomatal lineage as a model system. Stomatal lineage behavior, and thus, stomata production is modulated by environmental information. Our research combines state-of-the-art molecular genetics, imaging, and plant-environment studies to assess regulation of stomatal developmental plasticity in leaves of the seed plants. We use Arabidopsis and Norway spruce as a model species.
Research Fellow (Plant Nanotechnology), Singapore
Research in the Lew Lab focuses on engineering innovative nanoparticle-based technologies to efficiently deliver proteins and biomolecules for plant engineering, and to monitor plant signalling pathways non-destructively (Lew et al, Nat Plants 2020; Kwak & Lew et al, Nat Nanotech 2019). Trainees will be exposed to a rich and exciting training environment at the emerging field of plant nanotechnology.
Assistant Professor in Structural Synthetic Biology, Durham, UK
The Department of Biosciences at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Assistant Professor in Structural Synthetic Biology. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests that are consistent with research priorities in the Department and whose research is complementary to other staff in the Biomolecular Interactions, Animal Cells and Systems, and Plant Molecular Sciences groups. The newly established Centre for Programmable Biological Matter, led by Professor Jonathan Heddle is a large, multidisciplinary and well-equipped laboratory. We are developing new capabilities aimed at understanding, designing, and building biological nanomachines.
Kew Research Fellows, London
We are seeking applications from promising early-career scientists with interesting, innovative, and viable research ideas for the Future Leader Fellowship in Plant and Fungal Science. The Future Leader Fellowship in Plant and Fungal Science provides a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to develop their scientific portfolio and skills in a vibrant research environment, working with colleagues in Kew Science to make substantial contributions to challenges facing humanity.
Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Ecological Modelling, Stirling
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research fellow to work on an inter-disciplinary project which will address the question “How can we conserve biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides in the face of growing demand for food and limited funds for conservation?”
Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term), Nottingham
Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Fellow to work on a BBSRC funded project to extend the scope of single wheat grain imaging platform for molecular breeding research in the laboratory of Dr Rahul Bhosale while working very closely with Prof Ian Fisk and Dr John Foulkes (all at Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK) and in collaboration with Prof Malcolm Hawkesford (at Rothamsted Research, UK) and Prof Simon Griffiths (at John Innes Centre, UK).
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecology: Plant-Insect Food Webs, České Budějovice
We are seeking a highly motivated and productive postdoctoral researcher for the analysis of plant-insect food webs assembled from tropical and temperate forests of six continents, obtained during an ERC Advanced project sampling. We are looking for a creative researcher with advanced skills in biostatistical analyses and modelling of ecological data, particularly interaction webs. The researcher will join the Novotny Lab at the Ecology Department, an international team comprising 10 laboratories studying food webs from ecological, evolutionary and biogeographic perspectives. The position is open to candidates of any nationality holding a PhD degree and fluent in English.