🌻 The Week in Botany February 17, 2025
My sympathies if you’ve lost your job this week. I know a lot of people have. Finding non-science paper news stories has been more difficult than usual this week, because discussion is about the chaos in Muskow.
There are some positives. The ASPB statement ASPB Reaffirms Its Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion has proven very popular, and the BSA has also issued its own statement. Links below.
Also this week, the position of Chief Editor for AoB PLANTS was advertised. You can get the details on the weblog. If you forget, I have no doubt I’ll be mentioning it again next week, when there’ll be another email of the papers you’re sharing on Mastodon, Bluesky, and Twitter. Until next time, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
On Botany One
How Rice Plants Evolve to Pollinate Themselves
Some rice plants have evolved special flower traits to fertilize themselves instead of relying on the wind, helping them survive and reproduce more easily.
From Predator to Pollinator: Unveiling the Floral Foraging Habits of Ethiopian Wolves
When Ethiopia’s top predator licks flowers for nectar, it may be helping to shape the future of its Afroalpine ecosystem.
Ready to take the lead at AoB PLANTS?
Take your chance to steer the direction of plant science, by editing one of the Annals of Botany Company's journals.
Karen Sommerville: The Quest for Conserving Australian Rainforest Plants
Botany One interviews Dr. Karen Sommerville and her current research that aims to conserve Australian Rainforest plants.
News & Views
ASPB Reaffirms Its Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
BSA issues statement on Supporting our Community & Making our Voices Heard
The two big American societies make their comment on recent events in the USA.
Joy Rider Who Damaged Rare Plants in Death Valley Dunes Remains at Large
National Park Service officials have yet to identify the person or people who drove onto Eureka Dunes, a protected area with endemic plant species, more than a month ago.
940 million flowers being shipped through Miami for Valentine's Day
If any husbands or boyfriends mess up Valentine's Day this week, it's not because of a shortage of flowers.
Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost
Rare British daffodils may be hiding in plain sight in gardens and parks and experts want to track them down.
You don’t need land to grow plants. Show us your small-space container garden
Barbara Chung was so inspired by California native plants that she created a vibrant habitat garden with some 200 mostly native plants on her tiny townhouse patio in Santa Monica despite warnings that they wouldn’t survive.
Where do invasive species spread and why? Researchers take a novel approach to find the answer
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences took a deep dive to understand why certain locations are more susceptible and attractive to invasions by non-native plants or animals, making them prime targets for these species to spread.
Why are lemons so sour? Scientists uncover the genetic secret
Scientists have discovered how DNA modifications control citric acid production in lemons, revealing why they are significantly more sour than other citrus fruits. These modifications act like dimmer switches that can turn genes up or down during fruit development.
The teeming life of dead trees
Rotting logs turn out to be vital to forest biodiversity and recycling organic matter.
The seed-spreading power of water
Nigel Chaffey explodes the mystery of the squirting cucumber.
Scientific Papers
A fire deficit persists across diverse North American forests despite recent increases in area burned (FREE)
Parks et al use the North American tree-ring fire-scar network (NAFSN), a multi-century record comprising >1800 fire-scar sites spanning diverse forest types, and contemporary fire perimeters to ask whether there is a contemporary fire surplus or fire deficit, and whether recent fire years are unprecedented relative to historical fire regimes.
Balanced plant helper NLR activation by a modified host protein complex ($)
Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors play crucial roles in plant immunity by sensing pathogen effectors. In Arabidopsis, certain sensor NLRs function as NADases to catalyse the production of second messengers, which can be recognized by enhanced disease susceptibility 1 (EDS1) with its partner senescence-associated gene 101 (SAG101), to activate helper NLR N requirement gene 1 (NRG1).
Read free via https://rdcu.be/d90RB
@parkergroup.bsky.social‬
Evolution of a vascular plant pathogen is associated with the loss of CRISPR-Cas and an increase in genome plasticity and virulence genes ($)
Using a pangenome comparison of 94 Xanthomonas campestris isolates, Paauw et al discovered that the vasculature-infecting pathovar emerged in one monophyletic clade, has lost its CRISPR-Cas system, and showed an increase in both genomic plasticity and acquisition of virulence factors, such as type III effector proteins, compared with the ancestral pathovar.
Leaf minimum conductance dynamics during and after heat stress: Implications for plant survival under hotter droughts ($)
de AraĂşjo Brito Fernandes et al examined the gleaf-resvariation before, during, and after exposure to high temperatures (HTs) in a group of representative Cerrado tree species. Through multiple experiments, they compared gleaf-res in leaves previously exposed to different temperatures for varying durations with leaves not submitted to HT.
Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation recruits DNA demethylases to enforce gene expression in Arabidopsis (FREE)
Wang et al show that the targeting of histone H3 lysine four trimethylation (H3K4me3) with the catalytic domain of the SDG2 histone methyltransferase potently erased DNA methylation and gene silencing at FWA and also erased CG DNA methylation in many other regions of the Arabidopsis genome.
@adamahp.bsky.social‬
Consistent soil organic carbon accumulation under hedges driven by increase in light particulate organic matter (FREE)
Hedgerow planting is recommended by biodiversity policies and those that promote the inclusion of woody plants in agricultural landscapes to sequester atmospheric carbon into the soil. However, the extent and variability of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration under hedges are not known. Biffi et al measured SOC stock beneath hedges in five pedoclimatic conditions in the UK to quantify the SOC sequestration potential associated with hedgerow planting.
The Proteomics Landscape of Pattern Triggered Immunity in the Arabidopsis Leaf Apoplast (FREE)
The apoplast is a critical interface in plant-pathogen interactions particularly in the context of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), which is initiated by recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Chen et al’s study characterizes the proteomic profile of the Arabidopsis apoplast during PTI induced by flg22, a 22 amino acid bacterial flagellin epitope, to elucidate the output of PTI.
The Botanical University Challenge: Bridging isolation and empowering plant-aware students (FREE)
To combat this, three botanists launched the Botanical University Challenge (BUC) to inspire plant-aware students in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Hall, Stroud et al show how, through competition, BUC fosters a community of budding botanists, equips students with skills to tackle environmental issues and bridges fragmented interest in plants.
@susieoftraken.bsky.social‬
Molecular investigation of Rlm3 from rapeseed as a broad-spectrum resistance gene against fungal pathogens producing structurally conserved effectors (FREE)
Talbi et al expanded our characterization of the Rlm3 resistance spectrum to putative effectors from Fusarium oxysporum and Zymoseptoria ardabiliae and showed that one effector from F. oxysporum f. sp. narcissi behaves like Ecp11-1, being recognized by Rlm3, and this recognition also being masked by the presence of AvrLm4-7.
Growth decline in European beech associated with temperature-driven increase in reproductive allocation ($)
Climate change effects on forest growth and reproduction are widely reported, but indirect effects from their interactions are rarely demonstrated. In a 43-y study of European beech, rising summer temperatures led to more frequent seed production (masting), increasing total reproductive investment. This increased reproductive effort depleted stored resources, causing a 28% reduction in annual growth rates, even without increased drought stress.
In AoBC Publications
Black in Plant Science Summer Studentship 2025
The BiPS Summer Studentship aims to encourage students to consider a career in plant sciences by providing funding to support paid summer placements for Black undergraduate students.
These Studentships will address the lack of Black and Black heritage researchers in the UK plant science community.
Careers
Note: These are posts that have been advertised around the web. They are not posts that I personally offer, nor can I arrange the visa for you to work internationally.
Chief Editor, AoB PLANTS, Worldwide
If you’ve ever wanted to run a top-notch, open-access plant science journal, now’s your chance. AoB PLANTS is on the lookout for a new Chief Editor as Professor Tom Buckley prepares to step down this summer.
Research Assistant in Plant Science, Buckinghamshire
The role includes assisting the research team delivering on fundamental plant science research related to a high-profile BBSRC-funded project on potato dormancy, with PepsiCo UK Ltd. and Solynta UK as industrial partners. You will be assisting with: i) phenotyping and sampling potato tubers for the identification and evaluation of novel genetic loci that control potato dormancy; ii) postharvest storage trials; iii) physiological and biochemical analysis, including the extraction and quantification of metabolites and their analysis by HPLC and LC/MS; iv) tissue culture experiments for the establishment of potato microtubers; v) field trials.
Head of Plant Research and Testing Station, Belfast
AFBI is now seeking an enthusiastic, internationally recognised scientist with a high level of expertise and knowledge of agronomy and plant sciences. The post holder will have oversight and responsibility of work programmes based at AFBI Crossnacreevy. The successful candidate will further develop AFBI’s work programme aligned with the statutory testing requirements for grass and cereal varieties and seeds.
Plant Pathologist, Cambridge
You will be based in our state-of-the-art facilities at Niab Park Farm, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9NZ, which is equipped with molecular biology and plant growth amenities, including extensive glasshouses, walk-in growth rooms, and containment units for genetically modified plant trials.
Research Assistant (Fixed Term), Cambridge
A research assistant position is available in the Luginbuehl group funded by the ERC Starting Grant "Harnessing mechanisms for plant carbon delivery to symbiotic soil fungi for sustainable food production". This project explores carbon transfer in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with the aim to optimize symbiotic nutrient exchange in the model crop rice. The post is available at 50% for two years in the first instance, with the possibility of further extension.
Research Fellow in Spectral Reflectance Modelling for Horticulture, Leeds
Working in collaboration with the academic team, you will design an innovative vision system to enhance the viability of the UK's controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, including vertical farming. This system leverages advanced spectra measurement and analysis using novel image technology to extract valuable insights into crop health. These insights are delivered to growers through a plug-and-play camera unit and a user-friendly portal and API, making it affordable to install, adaptable to any indoor farm, and easy to use.
Thesis PhD Plant Developmental Biology, Paris
This PhD project is part of a collaborative work between two groups with complementary expertise on seed development and maturation in Arabidopsis and maize (RDP-LYON) and on seed dormancy and germination (IBPS-PARIS). Seed development and germination are often been dissociated in research studies, which can lead to important misconceptions. Results obtained by the PhD student at the Seed biology group (IBPS) and the PhD at the group in Lyon (RDP), will allow us to explore for the first time the idea that MFT proteins could be involved in feed-back from embryo and endosperm to the mother plant, which may be a critical parameter for the attribution of nutrients to the seed and later contribute to seed germination.
M/F Post-Doc in Microbial ecology, plant-microorganism interactions, contaminated soils, Nancy
We are interested in bio- and phyto-remediation processes that use the potential of microorganisms and/or plants to decontaminate sites (bioremediation, rhizoremediation or phytoextraction) or stabilise contaminants (phytostabilisation). These approaches must be adapted according to the type of contaminants present (alone or in mixtures) and the area to be treated. Our project concerns a site in French Polynesia that requires the use of local resources and the development of effective bio-phyto-remediation treatments through the selection of indigenous plants and micro-organisms.
Project manager (M/F) on lead contamination in cassava, Toulouse
Determine the determinants of lead contamination according to the physico-chemical characteristics of soils, cassava varieties and their processing in the villages of the Oyapock, in order to co-construct recommendations for reducing human exposure.
Postdoc in Plant Molecular Biology to Unravel Volatile Communication in Plants, Amsterdam
Are you intrigued by the relationships between plants, insects, and the environment? Do you have a passion for unraveling the mysteries of ecological interactions at a molecular level? We invite enthusiastic and dedicated candidates to join our cutting-edge research team as a postdoc to delve into the fascinating world of plant volatiles. The position is supported by a recently awarded NWO-VIDI grant. You will be joined by a PhD student working on the same subject.
Full Professor and Chair of Plant Breeding, Wageningen
We seek a new professor and chair group leader who can bring an inspiring vision for the future of plant breeding research and education within the domains of Wageningen University and Research. We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in modern breeding methods, including statistical genetics and in linking quantitative genetics to the molecular basis of relevant traits.
PhD position in forest ecology with focus on C dynamics, Alnarp
The project will contribute assessments of the pools of PyC in the boreal systems and calibrating its transportation pathways. We will achieve this by relying on data on historic and modern fires, reconstructed with high temporal and spatial resolutions across Nordic boreal forests. Our overarching hypothesis is that pyrogenic C (PyC) presents a tangible sink of fire affected C. Such sink can potentially contribute towards a negative feedback mechanism linking an increase in climatologically-forced fire activity with larger C deposition in difficult-to-mobilize forms. In testing this hypothesis, we plan to improve methodology for reconstruction of fire activity from lacustrine sediments and test the hypothesis that landscape-specific calibration of lacustrine fire proxies improves the quality of sediment-based fire reconstructions.
PhD Student in Plant Genetics and Breeding, Alnarp
Currently, the Department is conducting several research projects on crops that have a significant impact on Swedish agriculture. A number of these projects are funded by SLU GroGrund - the Swedish Centre for Breeding of Food Crops: https://www.slu.se/en/Collaborative-Centres-and-Projects/grogrund/. One of these projects is “Building Efficient Breeding Programs in Forages: BreedForage”. Red clover, the most important forage legume crop in Sweden, is one of the target crops of this project. Currently, the Department is seeking a PhD student to join the research team in this project, which focuses on red clover forage yields and forage quality.
12 months research engineer position, UmeĂĄ
We are looking for a highly motivated plant biologist with excellent skills in confocal microscopy. The candidate must be capable of independent planning, execution and evaluation of experiments or theoretical work. As a person you are enthusiastic and responsible and have excellent collaborative skills. The candidate should be familiar with Arabidopsis thaliana root and have a good knowledge of English.
PhD student in tree biology, UmeĂĄ
A PhD position is available in the Niittylä group at the Umeå Plant Science Center, Sweden to study wood formation using hybrid aspen as the model system. The position is financed by the newly funded NovoNordisk Synergy Project CarbonTree, which is a collaboration between the Niittylä group, the Moritz group at the University of Copenhagen and the Mähönen group at the University of Helsinki. The PhD student will join the collaboration between the three research groups.
Assistant / Associate Professor, Kansas
The Division of Biology at Kansas State University invites applications for a faculty member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor to conduct research in the area of Plant Synthetic Biology. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, synthetic biology approaches in the engineering of plants for new or modified capabilities, the production of medically or industrially important plant compounds including biofuels, and the development of biosensors.
Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Soil Carbon Dynamics and Climate Feedback, North Carolina
We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified Postdoctoral Research Scholar to contribute to a cutting-edge project funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). The project investigates the temperature sensitivity of carbon © loss from soils under extreme climatic conditions, focusing on cool-climate (arctic and boreal) and warm-climate (tropical) ecosystems. This interdisciplinary research aims to advance our understanding of soil C-climate feedback and improve predictive modeling frameworks for soil and ecosystem responses to global warming.
Research Associate - Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina
The NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) is a state diagnostic lab focusing on plant diseases and arthropod pests. The Research Associate’s primary responsibility is diagnosing diseases of vegetables and other agricultural crops/other host plants using various methods for clients, and clearly communicating results with clients. This is primarily a service/extension role.
Assistant Teaching Professor in Plant Biology, North Carolina
This position provides an excellent opportunity for an outstanding botanist with a strong interest in developing a long-term career in effective teaching in a vibrant department at a major research university. The initial appointment is for three years and, based on overall performance, is renewable. Teaching Assistant Professors are professional track positions, which are eligible for promotion to Teaching Associate Professor and Teaching Professor ranks.
Assistant Professor of Ornamental Plant Breeding – Nursery Crops, Oklahoma
This tenure-track faculty position will focus on ornamental nursery crop breeding and development to meet the needs of the ornamental and nursery industry, especially related to wholesale nursery production. The proposed position is designed to have strong connections and collaboration with the Oklahoma nursery industry. Duties would include providing innovative leadership and expertise in plant breeding and genetics of nursery crops.
Botany/Biology, Assistant (Tenure-Track) Professor, Washington
Bellevue College is seeking qualified applicants for one full-time tenure-track position focusing on Botany, with a preference for individuals who also have experience teaching General Biology and/or Plant Identification and Classification. Preferred applicants will utilize effective teaching skills and have the ability to engage and challenge students. The department is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working in a diverse setting and are committed to attracting and supporting faculty that represent the diversity of our student population. Applicants who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas. Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate a variety of teaching styles and classroom techniques that will support community college students.
Visiting Research Technician - Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Illinois
The Visiting Research Technician will be responsible for management, co-ordination, and maintenance of a pool of fifteen photosynthetic gas exchange measurement systems (LiCOR 6800XT) and provide technical support for physiological measurements on the RIPE project. This position requires work at the laboratory, field and greenhouse. This position will do both, dedicated management of the shared pool of gas exchange systems, and providing technical support for physiological measurements.
Director, Centre for Horticultural Science, Brisbane
We are seeking a dynamic and internationally recognised research leader to join the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) as the Director for the Centre of Horticultural Science. This senior leadership role is pivotal to advancing UQ’s vision of becoming a global leader in subtropical and tropical agrifood research, focusing on the sustainability and competitiveness of horticulture, agriculture, and food systems.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Phenomics, New South Wales
The University of Sydney is welcoming applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Phenomics to join the team in Narrabri in northern NSW at the recently opened International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture.