š» The Week in Botany May 5, 2025
For the scientific papers, I select the papers coming through the system that seem to be getting the most shares from our followers. If thereās a tie-break, Iāll choose the free to access papers over the ones behind a subscription barrier, but thereās no hard rule to discriminate against paywalled papers. This week, everything is free to access.
The news stories are also the most popular stories, but again a lot of the politics has been chopped out. Not all because Government stops funding science research is a topic that interests a lot of botanists, and it would be odd to ignore it. But the last couple of stories in News & Views also offer some examples of how you can do something constructive. I will be looking for more of these tales.
I also aim to blog a good news story this week. It seems the rare Snakeās Head Fritillary is on the rise again, which I saw on bird blog while writing this. It ties in with some interesting work on habitat conservation. Regardless of whether I actually get this done, there will be another email of the papers and the news stories youāre sharing on Mastodon, Bluesky, and Twitter next week. Until next time, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
On Botany One
How Buriti Seeds Survive Floods and Droughts
Buriti seeds may be sensitive to drying out, but a thorough analysis of their anatomy and physiology reveals surprising resilience to water stress.
Carla Maldonado: Understanding Life at its Core.
Botany One interviews Dr Carla Maldonado, a Bolivian botanist passionate for conservation.
Synthetic Stomata: Leveraging Artificial Imagery for Improved Stomatal Analysis
A new tool generates images of stomata that improve the accuracy of stomal detection by deep learning models.
Lured by Litter? An Australian Tree that Fools Its Pollinator by Mimicking Dead Leaves
A rainforest flower has evolved to look and smell like a pile of dead leaves, convincing enough to trick a beetle into pollinating it.
News & Views
Government āfailing to support natural regeneration of trees in Englandā
Campaigners say targets for woodland creation are unlikely to be met because 95% of grants are for planting.
A New Future for the Biodiversity Heritage Library
For the past 20 years, the Smithsonian Institution ā one of BHLās 10 founding members ā has played the vital role of hosting both the administrative and technical components of BHL. On January 1, 2026, the Smithsonian will no longer host the administrative functions of BHL. This change presents both a new challenge and a new opportunity.
High-flying ecologist blurred boundaries, broke financial rules, ETH ZĆ¼rich report finds
Thomas Crowther has lost his post at the university but denies any misconduct.
The doās and donāts of scientific image editing
Acceptable image-editing practices are partly a matter of common sense. But researchers say journals and funders could help scientists by standardizing policies.
Reflections from the āPlant Sciences in the Anthropoceneā Workshop ā Two Weeks of Conversations, Insight, and Impact
During two weeks, I had the privilage to attend the Plant Sciences in the Anthropocene Workshop (24th March-4th April 2025) at Saclay Plant Sciences (SPS) representing The Global Plant Council. From the very first presentation to the final wrap-up, the workshop was a deep dive into the challenges āand yes, opportunitiesā plant science faces in the changing world of today and tomorrow.
āItās a huge lossā: Trump administration dismisses scientists preparing climate report
The Trump administration dismissed more than 400 experts who had started work on the latest National Climate Assessment report, saying the scope of the report was being reevaluated.
No Mow Mayā¢
#NoMowMay is one of the easiest ways to help and connect with wildlife, and the perfect way to start supporting nature in your garden (in May and beyond!).
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with āagency prioritiesā.
Exploring the biology of algae, lichens, and bryophytes
Nigel Chaffey reviews Biology of algae, lichens and bryophytes, edited by Burkhard BĆ¼del, Thomas Friedl & Wolfram Beyschlag.
Tales from the Hill
On April 30 2025 (the same day NSF froze all funding actions), about 20 colleagues and I were crisscrossing Capitol Hill in Washington DC meeting with staff of our Senators and Representatives. We would ask the staff, āwhat can we do to help the Representative or Senator push through science-friendly policy?ā That offer of help changed the nature of our meetings ā the aides began giving us specific advice, questions, and requests.
Weed Manager of the Year: One Manās Quest to Save the Sonoran Desert
As official research positions are lost to budget cuts, the work of citizen scientists to preserve federal forests is becoming more valuable.
Scientific Papers
Extensive modulation of a conserved cis-regulatory code across 589 grass species (FREE)
The growing availability of genomes from non-model organisms offers new opportunities to identify functional loci underlying trait variation through comparative genomics. While cis-regulatory regions drive much of phenotypic evolution, linking them to specific functions remains challenging. Hale et al. identified 514 cis-regulatory motifs enriched in regulatory regions of five diverse grass species.
Do traitāgrowth relationships vary with plant age in fire-prone heathland shrubs? (FREE)
Dun et al demonstrate that key functional traits undergo shifts in their relationship with growth as plants mature. Therefore, it will be valuable to shift our understanding of plant strategies away from the notion that traits influence growth rates in a fixed manner across plant sizes and ages.
Strigolactones optimise plant water usage by modulating vessel formation (FREE)
Wood formation is crucial for plant growth, enabling water and nutrient transport through vessel elements, derived from cambium stem cells (CSCs). CSCs produce vascular cell types in a bidirectional manner, but their regulation and cell fate trajectories remain unclear. Using single-cell transcriptome analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana, Zhao et al reveal that the strigolactone (SL) signalling pathway negatively regulates vessel element formation, impacting plant water usage.
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression (FREE)
Plants produce a plethora of specialised metabolites that often play important roles in their defence against pathogenic microbes or herbivorous insects. Exposure of leaf colonising microbes to these metabolites influences their growth and Unger et al hypothesize that it also has consequences for microbe-microbe interactions and bacterial recruitment to leaves.
Replicated repurposing of an ancestral transcriptional complex in land plants (FREE)
Transcriptional complexes with a common composition regulate the production of flavonoid pigments, trichomes, root hairs and other epidermal traits in seed plants. These complexes are composed of transcription factors from the MYB and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) families along with a tryptophan-aspartate repeat (WDR) scaffold protein (MBW complexes). The MYB member has been found to be the most pathway-specific component of the complex and modifications to these MYB genes are overrepresented in studies investigating the genetic basis of changes in pigmentation phenotypes across flowering plants. Kongsted et al investigated the orthologues of the MBW complex in a divergent lineage to understand its origin and evolution.
Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic (FREE)
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average and plant communities are responding through shifts in species abundance, composition and distribution. However, the direction and magnitude of local changes in plant diversity in the Arctic have not been quantified. Using a compilation of 42,234 records of 490 vascular plant species from 2,174 plots across the Arctic, GarcĆa Criado et al quantified temporal changes in species richness and composition through repeat surveys between 1981 and 2022.
A transcriptional atlas of early Arabidopsis seed development suggests mechanisms for inter-tissue coordination (FREE)
Successful seed development is essential for flowering plant reproduction and requires the coordination of three genetically distinct tissues: the embryo and endosperm, which are the products of fertilization, and the maternal seed coat. Our understanding of the transcriptional programs underlying tissue-specific functions and inter-tissue coordination in seeds remains incomplete. To address this, Martin et al performed single nucleus RNA-sequencing on Arabidopsis thaliana seeds at 3, 5, and 7 days after pollination.
CarboTag: a modular approach for live and functional imaging of plant cell walls (FREE)
Besten et al introduce CarboTag, a modular toolbox for live functional imaging of plant walls. CarboTag uses a small molecular motif, a pyridine boronic acid, that directs its cargo to the cell wall.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveal how root tissues adapt to soil stress (FREE)
Land plants thrive in soils showing vastly different properties and environmental stresses1. Root systems can adapt to contrasting soil conditions and stresses, yet how their responses are programmed at the individual cell scale remains unclear. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic approaches, Zhu et al show major expression changes in outer root cell types when comparing the single-cell transcriptomes of rice roots grown in gel versus soil conditions.
Transcription factors SlMYB41, SlMYB92 and SlWRKY71 regulate gene expression in the tomato exodermis (FREE)
Root barrier cell types, like the endodermis and exodermis, are crucial for plant acclimation to environmental stresses. Deposition of suberin, a hydrophobic polymer, in these cell layers restricts the movement of molecules and plays a vital role in stress responses. This study investigates the role of SlMYB41, SlMYB92 and SlWRKY71 transcription factors (TFs) in regulating suberin biosynthesis in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) root exodermis by genetic perturbation.
Membrane-permeable trehalose 6-phosphate precursor spray increases wheat yields in field trials (FREE)
Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) is an endogenous sugar signal in plants that promotes growth, yet it cannot be introduced directly into crops or fully genetically controlled. Griffiths et al show that wheat yields were improved using a timed microdose of a plant-permeable, sunlight-activated T6P signaling precursor, DMNB-T6P, under a variety of agricultural conditions.
In AoBC Publications
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.
Research Assistant in Collection of Plant Traits and Data Analysis, Oxford
We are seeking two Research Assistants to join the Oxford Long-Term Ecology Lab (OxLEL) in the Department of Biology. These positions are part-time (20 hours per week) and fixed term for eight months, from May to December 2025. This project investigates whether local vegetation affects Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs) performance at study sites in Benin and Kenya. The selected candidates will collect floral trait data from the most abundant plant species in these areas and support the analysis of the field data. This research aims to improve our understanding of mosquito sugar-feeding dynamics and how environmental factors influence mosquito behaviour and ATSB effectiveness.
Postdoctoral Research Associate: Global Coastal Wetlands Research Group, Cambridge
A Research Associate post is available in the Global Coastal Wetlands Research Group directed by Thomas Worthington in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. The applicant will work on large-scale understanding of coastal wetlands - primarily mangrove forests and tidal marshes. This will include mapping and modelling of distribution, value, condition, and opportunities for restoration. The work will be highly collaborative, notably with The Nature Conservancy, but also with academic, NGO, and other partners.
Teaching Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology, Swansea
We announce a permanent position of Teaching Fellow in Terrestrial Ecology at the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a vibrant and growing Department and a highly successful team of teaching and research facing academics.
Research Fellow (Pre/Post-Doc), Greifswald
At the Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Peatland Science Group of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Greifswald, there is a job vacancy that is available, subject to budgetary regulations, starting from 1 July 2025, for a 65% position as Research Fellow (Pre/Post-Doc). The aim of the MOOSland research project is to further develop peat moss paludiculture as part of a model and demonstration project funded by the BMEL and to bring it into widespread use. The position advertised here will compare the greenhouse gas exchange of existing and newly established peat moss paludiculture systems and will also include reference measurements on drained raised bog grassland.
Scientist (f,m,div) in the Field of Molecular Plant Biochemistry, GroĆbeeren
The position is part of the research group Quality.2 (Phytonutrient Management) in the programme area āPlant Quality and Food Securityā (QUALITY). The aim of the research project āPhytoMā is has the goal to mechanistically explore the interaction of phytonutrients in the plant-environment response in order to enhance and secure the nutritional quality of vegetables under changing climatic conditions and under the impact of the food supply chain, including food processing. In this context, the aim of the PostDoc position is to investigate the regulation of the enzymatic degradation of glucosinolates, which is relevant for the bioactive effect of this substance class.
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghent
The consortium of labs is looking to recruit 1 highly-motivated postdoctoral researcher, who will be involved in elucidating the underlying signalling mechanisms that play a role in regulating plant growth under a changing climate, especially high temperature. The applicant will be tasked with mapping the dynamic changes in the stomata (phospho)proteome through low-input proteomics and single-cell mass spectrometry-based proteomics. First under control conditions to establish the methodology and, secondly, under abiotic stress conditions.
Post-doctoral assistant, Ghent
At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in the research group Computational Regulomics of the Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics; this in the following domains : bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology, gene regulation and single-cell data analysis.
Executive Manager, Brussels
Plants for the Future ETP (Plant ETP) is a multistakeholder platform, including industry, breeders, farmers and academia, and representing the plant sector from fundamental research to crop production and distribution. Our vision is to Promote the flow of innovation from basic research to the market for the benefit of society. The Executive Manager will lead and manage the Plant ETP platform and its activities, in close collaboration with its membership and the Board of Directors to whom he/she reports.
Research Scientist, postdoc, agroecology and soil microbiology, Helsinki
A 3-year postdoctoral position is available in the Plant Health Group at Luke. The role involves studying the effects of agroecological measures promoting sustainable plant production on soil disease suppression through microbial activity.
Associate Senior Lecturer in Earth and Environmental Data Science, Gothenburg
In the associate senior lectureship position, the main task is research (up to 80%) and some teaching (up to 20%). Duties include writing scientific papers, applying for external financing, and attending scientific meetings. Duties may include supervision of bachelorsā and mastersā student projects, as well as supervision of PhDs and Postdocs. Teaching is performed at the bachelor, masters, and PhD levels. The successful candidate will take part in some administrative tasks at the Department or Faculty level.
Postdoctoral position in genomics and plant breeding of perennial crops, Uppsala
Are you interested in plant breeding and the development of novel crops for a sustainable agriculture and mitigation of climate change? We are looking for a highly motivated person to join our research on the domestication and breeding of perennial cereal grain crops at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
Professor (full tenure) in silviculture with focus on silvicultural systems, UmeƄ
The subject area for the position is silviculture with focus on silvicultural systems, mainly in boreal forests. A silvicultural system is a planned program of treatments throughout the entire life of a forest stand, designed for influencing the growth of trees and their spatial and temporal distribution to achieve predictable characteristics that align with stand specific economic, ecological and social objectives.
Postdoctoral internship, KÄdainiai
The Lithuanian Research Council, promoting the development of the system of internships for young scientists after doctoral studies and improving the scientific qualifications of interns, announces a call for proposals for the projects of postdoctoral studies.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Canterbury, NZ
Are you an early-career researcher with a passion for plant ecology, data analytics, and fieldwork? Join our collaborative and innovative team at Lincoln University as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Based within the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, this role will see you working closely with Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme to contribute to impactful research on plant invasions and biosecurity. You'll have the opportunity to engage with nationally and internationally significant projects while developing your academic career in a supportive and collegial environment.
Analyst, Fire-Carbon Cycle Interaction, Edmonton
The candidate will apply quantitative, geospatial, and modelling expertise to support the primary research objectives within the carbon accounting and fire research group. This will involve collecting, processing and analyzing data related to fire disturbance dynamics; developing, adapting, and running the simulation models of fire impacts on forests; presenting results in scientific journals and internal reports; responding to internal and external requests/enquiries from clients and other researchers regarding fire-carbon interactions.