Duke Pauli, Brennan Huppenthal, Diane Wang, James Schnable, Bedrich Benes
{"title":"Digital twins for plant and crop improvement.","authors":"Duke Pauli, Brennan Huppenthal, Diane Wang, James Schnable, Bedrich Benes","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.06.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2026.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant digital twins (DTs) are dynamic, data-aware virtual representations that integrate plant structure, physiology, and environmental inputs to simulate plant function, growth, and performance. By combining process-based models, phenomics data, and environmental states in a continuous feedback loop linking physical and virtual plants, DTs offer a novel approach for investigating complex biological systems. In this opinion article, we outline the conceptual foundations of DTs and how they offer new opportunities to bridge the genotype-to-phenotype gap and aid in crop improvement. Despite their promise, major challenges remain in DT development, scalability, and accessibility. Addressing these challenges will be critical for enabling the broad adoption of DTs as transformative tools for accelerating plant science research and crop improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148412868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phosphatidic acid signaling: Opening new frontiers in plants.","authors":"Mingli Yong, Dong Yan, Liang Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.06.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2026.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phosphatidic acid (PA) functions as a dynamic second messenger in response to multiple stresses in plants. Recent insights into the mechanisms of diacylglycerol kinase-derived PA signaling have expanded its functional profiles while leaving potential avenues for research and key knowledge gaps, which will be discussed in this forum article.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148405716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Federated learning: global insights from local plant data.","authors":"Mirza Shoaib, Priyanka Reddy, Guodong Long, Matthew J Hayden, Surya Kant","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.014","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"974-975"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147692354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in Plant SciencePub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-03-10DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.009
Joanne E Thomson, Federica Brandizzi
{"title":"Pushed beyond limits: plants' response to unmanageable ER stress.","authors":"Joanne E Thomson, Federica Brandizzi","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To survive hostile environments, plant cells rely on the unfolded protein response (UPR) to adapt to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The UPR is a conserved network of intracellular signaling pathways that are critical for maintaining homeostasis. ER stress is activated to clear unfolded proteins and restore ER homeostasis. If ER stress remains unresolved, the UPR triggers programmed cell death (PCD). How plant cells interpret stress signals to activate PCD pathways remains largely unexplored. New regulators of ER stress-induced PCD have emerged, providing insights into how the UPR shapes cell fate. In this review, we highlight recent progress in understanding ER stress-induced PCD under chronic ER stress and include outstanding questions for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"952-960"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13189175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147435646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in Plant SciencePub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.005
Adnan Muzaffar, Md Torikul Islam, Adam M Guss, Gerald A Tuskan, Jin-Gui Chen, Xiaohan Yang
{"title":"Construct design for precise DNA insertion in plants.","authors":"Adnan Muzaffar, Md Torikul Islam, Adam M Guss, Gerald A Tuskan, Jin-Gui Chen, Xiaohan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise insertion of DNA sequences at targeted locations in plant genomes is pivotal for synthetic biology, genetics, and crop improvement. Construct design plays a critical role in achieving precise insertions, yet practical guidance remains limited. This review provides an in-depth overview of construct design principles and targeted DNA insertion (knock-in) strategies in plants. We assess the strengths, limitations, and construct requirements of current knock-in methods for specific applications, including short, large, and multifragment insertions. Additionally, we explore the potential of adopting advanced nonplant technologies to enhance knock-in efficiency and precision in plants. This review provides a valuable resource for facilitating the effective application of knock-in technologies to genetically improve crops with minimal off-target effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"887-910"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147475193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in Plant SciencePub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-04-29DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2026.04.011
Shanshan Dong, Manyuan Long, Yang Liu
{"title":"Bryophytes: natural incubators of new gene evolution.","authors":"Shanshan Dong, Manyuan Long, Yang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.04.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.04.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>De novo gene origination from noncoding regions is a major source of genetic innovation. Dong et al. [1] (Nat. Genet. 2025; 57:2562-2569) reveal that bryophytes harbor an exceptionally high abundance of such genes, establishing them as a new and key system for studying the mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of new gene emergence in plants.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"874-877"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in Plant SciencePub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2026-04-08DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.006
Mohammad Mukarram, Francisco J Corpas
{"title":"Lemongrass: climate-smart crop for marginal lands.","authors":"Mohammad Mukarram, Francisco J Corpas","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lemongrass, a robust aromatic grass, offers a climate-smart solution for marginal lands through its stress resilience, bioeconomic value, and its ability to transform degraded soils into productive assets. In this forum, we emphasise the multifunctionality of lemongrass and propose a timely, sustainable model for utilising marginal lands while improving rural livelihoods.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"870-873"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147646600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in Plant SciencePub Date : 2026-07-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2025.08.014
Alison R Gill, Troy K Miller, Samalka Wijeweera, Eva Herrero, Gioia D Massa, Jenny C Mortimer, Alex A R Webb, A Harvey Millar, Matthew Gilliham
{"title":"Turbocharging fundamental science translation through controlled environment agriculture.","authors":"Alison R Gill, Troy K Miller, Samalka Wijeweera, Eva Herrero, Gioia D Massa, Jenny C Mortimer, Alex A R Webb, A Harvey Millar, Matthew Gilliham","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2025.08.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2025.08.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) provides unprecedented opportunities to accelerate the translation of plant science breakthroughs into agricultural impact. By precisely controlling growth conditions, CEA enables the reliable and tightly regulated deployment of beneficial optimized traits by integrating emerging breeding, genomic, and synthetic biology tools. In this review we highlight both the progress and the remaining challenges enabled by CEA to reimagine crop design, including enhanced photosynthesis that operates independently of seasonal and circadian limitations, improvements in resource and metabolic efficiency, customized plant architecture, and the reliable, controllable production of high-value compounds. These capabilities position CEA as both a versatile research platform and an efficient, high-yielding production system, bridging fundamental discoveries with real-world crop outcomes to support sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture into the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"911-924"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating genetic redundancy in plant genomes: insights for research and breeding.","authors":"Amichai Berman, Ido Zylberberg, Itay Mayrose, Eilon Shani","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Duplicated gene sequences are a prominent and widespread feature of plant genomes, often resulting in genetic redundancy that obscures the functions of individual genes and complicates trait dissection. This redundancy limits the effectiveness of traditional genetic approaches and poses challenges for crop improvement. Characterizing redundancy within gene families is essential for advancing both functional genomics and breeding. Recent advances in scalable mutant generation and multiplex genome editing enable systematic dissection of redundant networks and the discovery of masked phenotypes. Coupled with computational and comparative genomic approaches, these strategies provide a framework for more precise functional analysis, supporting the development of crop varieties with enhanced performance, resilience, and adaptability to changing environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"961-973"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147491718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Women in plant science around the world.","authors":"Judit Dobránszki, Yonghua Li-Beisson, Ainhoa Martínez-Medina, Lisha Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tplants.2026.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23264,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"855-860"},"PeriodicalIF":21.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}