Current Plant Biology最新文献

{"title":"Busted: Maternal modifiers of the triploid block involved in seed size control","authors":"Ruth Y. Akinmusola,&nbsp;Harvey Kilsby,&nbsp;Catherine-Axa Wilkins,&nbsp;Volkan Cevik,&nbsp;Rod Scott ,&nbsp;James Doughty","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The triploid block leads to seed abortion in crosses involving tetraploid Col-0 pollen. The genetic basis underlying this phenomenon is established in the endosperm and attributed to parental genomic imprinting. This research utilised the genetic variation in Arabidopsis to identify the genomic regions harbouring the maternal modifiers of the triploid block to produce viable large seeds. Distinct chromosomal regions were identified in Bla-1 and Tsu-0 accessions. The Bla-1 maternal modifier maps to the <em>TTG2</em> locus at the lower end of chromosome 2 to produce large viable seeds in response to a triploid block. Tsu-0 accession, on the other hand, recruits the <em>TTG1</em> locus on the upper arm of chromosome 5 as a maternal modifier of the triploid block. <em>TTG1</em> and <em>TTG2</em> mutations significantly increased the proportion of large viable seeds in interploidy crosses. Both genes are involved in transcriptional regulation in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. However, to regulate seed size in diploids, <em>TTG1</em> functions synergistically with auxin but does so independently of <em>TTG2</em>. This work contributed to the genetic framework for the <em>TTG1</em> and <em>TTG2</em> seed size roles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100618"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147803491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative roles of miRNAs and omics in crop responses to abiotic and biotic stresses","authors":"Gyanika Shukla ,&nbsp;Amardeep Singh ,&nbsp;Namita Basnal ,&nbsp;Abhinav Moghiya ,&nbsp;Shailendra Singh Gaurav ,&nbsp;Pankhuri Singhal ,&nbsp;Jitender Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global agriculture is increasingly threatened by the combined impacts of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, temperature extremes, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and flooding, as well as biotic stresses caused by pathogens and pests. These stresses account for substantial yield losses in major staple crops, posing serious risks to food security under changing climatic conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key post-transcriptional regulators that fine-tune gene expression networks governing plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on miRNA biogenesis, modes of action, and their regulatory roles in coordinating plant responses to stresses. We highlight how advances in multi-omics technologies have enabled comprehensive dissection of miRNA-mediated regulatory networks. Integration of miRNA profiling with multi-omics datasets provides a systems-level understanding of stress-responsive pathways, revealing key regulatory hubs, molecular crosstalk, and stress memory mechanisms. The review also discusses computational tools and databases that facilitate miRNA discovery, target prediction, and data integration, while addressing current challenges related to data heterogeneity and computational complexity. By bridging fundamental biology with applied strategies, this review underscores the potential of integrated miRNA and omics approaches to accelerate the development of stress-resilient crops, supporting sustainable agriculture and global food security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100614"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147803489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pan-genomic characterization of the NCED genes and their response to abiotic stresses in wheat species","authors":"Jazib Javed,&nbsp;Zhen Zhang,&nbsp;Jing-Jing Li,&nbsp;Qiu-Rui Baran Gou,&nbsp;Meng-Lu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant stress adaptation and development are regulated by abscisic acid (ABA), whose biosynthesis is catalyzed by the <em>9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</em> (NCED) enzymes. In wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.), a comprehensive pan-phylogenomic and functional characterization of the <em>NCED</em> gene family remains underexplored despite its role in ABA synthesis and its likely resilience to abiotic stresses. This study conducts pan-genomic identification, genomic diversity, and functional analyses of the <em>NCED</em> gene family across 14 wild and modern wheat species. A total of 443 non-redundant <em>NCED</em> genes were identified and classified into distinct NCED and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) clades. Gene structure and motifs demonstrated high conservation of the functional RPE65 domain, with promoter-region cis-acting elements enriched for motifs responsive to abiotic stresses and hormone signaling. Expression analysis and RT-qPCR validation identified core stress-responsive genes, including <em>TaCSNCED18</em>, <em>TaCSNCED26</em>, and <em>TaCSNCED27</em>, significantly upregulated under drought and heat stress. <em>TaCSNCED33</em> is enriched in transfer tissues (aleurone layer and seed coat) and in other storage tissues, as revealed by a spatial transcriptome analysis. Moreover, a haplotype analysis reveals its significant association with thousand-kernel weight (TKW), an agronomic trait related to yield. This work presents a comprehensive genomic atlas of the wheat <em>NCED</em> gene family, detailing its evolutionary history, regulatory architecture, and functional diversification. These findings provide a valuable genetic resource for breeding climate-resilient wheat varieties by optimizing the ABA pathway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100616"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147803492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling the mechanisms of pseudouridylation in rice plant immunity: The power of next-generation sequencing","authors":"Misbah Naz,&nbsp;Xiaosi Bu,&nbsp;Muhammad Rahil Afzal,&nbsp;Zhuo Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pseudouridylation is a prevalent RNA modification that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and modulating plant responses to biotic stresses, such as pathogenic attacks. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled high-resolution mapping of pseudouridine sites in plant RNA, offering valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immunity. This review explores the role of pseudouridylation in rice under biotic stress conditions, particularly during interactions with fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. We highlight the potential of NGS-based methods, such as RNA-seq and pseudouridine-seq, in identifying and quantifying pseudouridylation marks in response to pathogen-induced stress. The review further discusses the regulatory implications of pseudouridylation in modulating gene expression, post-transcriptional control, and host-pathogen interactions. Understanding how pseudouridylation influences plant immunity opens new avenues for enhancing disease resistance in rice and other crops. We also consider the challenges and future prospects of integrating NGS-based technologies in plant pathology research to unravel the complexities of RNA modifications in response to biotic stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100612"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147859188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated genomics implicates a dynamin-like gene in unreduced gamete formation and yields a predictive marker for breeding in Lantana strigocamara","authors":"S. Brooks Parrish,&nbsp;Hamza Ashfaq,&nbsp;Hani W. Hassan,&nbsp;Zhanao Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Unreduced female gamete (UFG) production in the invasive ornamental <em>Lantana strigocamara</em> complicates breeding efforts to develop sterile triploid cultivars. To uncover the genetic basis of this trait and develop a diagnostic tool, an integrated genomic and transcriptomic approach was employed. This study combined RNA sequencing of ovary tissue from UFG-producing and non-producing diploid genotypes, DNA skim sequencing of a diverse 20-genotype panel, and the assembly of a new, chromosome-scale reference genome for the non-UFG cultivar ‘Lola’. Differential expression analysis identified over 1000 candidate genes, which were subsequently filtered using genome-wide variant data to pinpoint a high-confidence locus on chromosome 2B. This locus contains a dynamin-like gene (g29092), homologous to Arabidopsis DRP1 proteins, which carries high-impact InDels that segregate with the UFG phenotype. A high-resolution melting-based marker targeting a 36 bp InDel within this gene accurately genotyped 34 diverse cultivars and breeding lines using crude DNA extracts, demonstrating its utility as a rapid, low-cost screening tool. The identification of a dynamin-like gene provides a strong mechanistic hypothesis for UFG formation based on defects in meiotic cytokinesis. The validated HRM marker and the new ‘Lola’ reference genome represent significant advancements, offering practical tools for breeding programs and a robust foundation for future functional genomics research in lantana.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147803490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Precision editing without footprints: Advancing transgene-free systems in plants","authors":"Nan Su ,&nbsp;Menglei Wang ,&nbsp;Rui Zhang ,&nbsp;Yue Xiao ,&nbsp;Deqiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuepeng Song","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid advancement of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing has revolutionized plant biotechnology, yet the integration of exogenous DNA into plant genomes raises biosafety concerns and regulatory hurdles. Transgene-free genome editing technologies, which eliminate foreign gene remnants while enabling precise modifications, are critical for the commercialization and ecological sustainability of edited plants. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated analysis of transgene-free editing strategies, focusing on the latest advances in three core innovations: (1) Optimization of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) components: A systematic side-by-side comparison of editing efficiencies between Cas variants and gRNA variants—enhancing editing specificity, reducing off-target effects, and eliminating transgene integration; (2) Delivery systems, including PEG-Ca²⁺ mediated, particle bombardment delivery and nanomaterial-based platforms, which enable transgene-free of CRISPR components while bypassing tissue culture; (3) gene module molecular toolkits, including high-frequency regeneration modules, negative selection module and visualization module, which represent an underexplored frontier in previous reviews. By integrating these innovations, transgene-free editing technologies hold immense potential for perennial plants, enabling trait improvements in yield, stress tolerance, and disease resistance without compromising genetic integrity. This review highlights remaining challenges, including delivery efficiency in recalcitrant species and scalability for high-throughput applications, while underscoring the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in advancing next-generation editing tools. This work not only synthesizes key technological advances but also provides a clear roadmap for addressing challenges related to delivery efficiency, regulatory hurdles, and public acceptance, thereby paving the way for sustainable agriculture and the global adoption of CRISPR-edited plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100588"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"S genes for disease resistance in wheat using Arabidopsis as a model","authors":"Zelalem Eshetu Bekalu ,&nbsp;Tobias Hanak ,&nbsp;Henrik Brinch-Pedersen","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In their millennia-long coexistence, plants and pathogens have coevolved diverse arrays of biochemicals against each other to survive. The arms race between them is a complex process and involves multiple defence and signalling pathways. Pathogens with superior virulence arms often cause substantial yield loss and compromise quality in numerous plant species. In response, plants are equipped with resistance genes (<em>R</em> genes) to overcome pathogen-associated losses. However, the use of <em>R</em> genes in breeding is often hindered by their short durability and limited specificity against a pathogen race. Besides using their resources for pathogenicity, pathogens usually ‘trick’ the host defence system and involve the host genes in favour of their entry and colonisation of the host, so-called susceptibility genes (<em>S</em> genes). In contrast to <em>R</em> genes, <em>S</em> genes serve as host factors to establish host-pathogen compatibility by facilitating nutrient acquisition, suppressing defence signalling, or modifying host cellular structures. Unlike the recognition-based mechanism of <em>R</em> genes, resistance derived from <em>S</em> genes typically results from a loss-of-function of these required targets. In the last two decades, <em>S</em> genes have been used to improve resistance against various pathogens. However, the use of mutant <em>S</em> genes to develop resistant crops is often hampered by their potential pleiotropic effects. To overcome these challenges, New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) provide tools and platforms to fine-tune target <em>S</em> gene expression without pleiotropic effects. NGTs also enable simultaneous targeting of multiple <em>S</em> genes to achieve broad-spectrum resistance. Compared to classical breeding, NGTs significantly shorten the breeding cycles and facilitate the rapid integration of resistance traits into elite cultivars. Here, we summarise the functional diversity of <em>S</em> genes in the model plant Arabidopsis and the cereal crop wheat against various plant pathogens. In addition, we also highlight the potential challenges to translate <em>S</em> gene functional studies from Arabidopsis to polyploid crop species, like wheat. Furthermore, we discuss potential targets in the <em>S</em> genes for NGTs-mediated modification and the generation of resilient crops against various pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100597"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phylogeny-guided discovery of a crocetin dialdehyde-producing carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase from Paulownia tomentosa","authors":"Lucía Morote ,&nbsp;Eduardo Parreño ,&nbsp;Elena Moreno Giménez ,&nbsp;Verónica Aragonés ,&nbsp;Alberto José López Jiménez ,&nbsp;Ángela Rubio-Moraga ,&nbsp;Oussama Ahrazem ,&nbsp;Gianfranco Diretto ,&nbsp;José-Antonio Daròs ,&nbsp;Lourdes Gómez-Gómez","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) mediate the oxidative cleavage of carotenoids, producing apocarotenoids with diverse biological functions and industrial relevance. Phylogenetic analysis of CCDs from <em>Paulownia tomentosa</em> identified CCD4–2 as a candidate enzyme potentially involved in crocetin biosynthesis. CCD4–2 clustered closely with functionally characterized CCD4 enzymes from <em>Buddleja</em> and <em>Verbascum</em> (73.7% and 70.0% identity, respectively), both of which cleave carotenoids at the C7-C8 and C7′-C8′ double bonds to produce crocetin dialdehyde. <em>In silico</em> predictions and subcellular localization studies, supported that <em>P. tomentosa</em> CCD4–2 is plastid-targeted and likely interacts with membrane-bound carotenoid pools. Functional assays demonstrated that CCD4–2 cleaves specifically β-carotene at C7-C8 and C7′-C8′ but does not act on linear or asymmetric carotenoids. Although β-carotene was abundant in <em>P. tomentosa</em> leaves and flowers, crocins were not detected, likely due to substrate competition and the high expression of other CCD enzymes, particularly CCD1 and CCD4–4, which may divert β-carotene toward alternative cleavage pathways or products. To verify the catalytic function in planta, CCD4–2 was expressed using a viral vector in <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em>. In this low-competition background, crocins accumulation reached values close to 4 mg/g dry weight, confirming the cleavage activity of CCD4–2. These findings underscore the presence of catalytically valuable CCD enzymes within plant genomes and demonstrate how prior knowledge of CCD enzymatic activity and phylogenetic relationships can facilitate the identification of novel candidates for the biotechnological production of high-value apocarotenoids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100599"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"JA-mediated defence activation underlies Chilo partellus tolerance in maize: Evidence from integrative multi-omics analyses","authors":"S.B. Suby ,&nbsp;Megha Sailwal ,&nbsp;Naveen Kumar ,&nbsp;T. P. Ahammed Shabeer ,&nbsp;Krishan Kumar ,&nbsp;Pashupat D. Vasmatkar ,&nbsp;Vishesh Kumar ,&nbsp;Yasin J. Khan ,&nbsp;Amolkumar U. Solanke","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize faces substantial yield losses from herbivory by the spotted stemborer <em>Chilo partellus</em>, and understanding defence mechanisms is critical for breeding resilient cultivars. In this study, two maize inbred lines, BML 6 (susceptible) and BML 7 (tolerant), and their hybrid DHM 117, were evaluated for resistance, revealing that BML 7 reduced larval establishment and growth, BML 6 supported higher larval survival, and the hybrid exhibited intermediate resistance with increased biomass, reflecting partial inheritance of defence traits. Transcriptomic and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that jasmonic acid (JA) mediated signalling orchestrates maize defence, with strong induction of key genes in BML 7 and DHM 117, including lipoxygenase 2/3/5 (LOXs), fatty acid α-dioxygenase (FAD1), terpene synthases 4/10 (TPS4/10), α-terpineol synthase, cystatin 2, anthranilate synthase α-subunit 1 (ASα1), and anthranilic acid methyltransferase 1 (AAMT1), driving terpenoid and benzoxazinoid biosynthesis, whereas BML 6 primarily activated the phenylpropanoid pathway. Metabolomic profiling (UPLC-QTOF-MS) revealed that BML 7 accumulated specialised metabolites, including phenolic acid–flavonoid conjugates, while BML 6 showed higher levels of simple phenolics, linking metabolite composition to larval performance. Overall, the integration of phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic evidence underscores the central role of JA signalling and its downstream defence network in maize, identifying functional molecular markers for developing pest-resilient cultivars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100594"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing autophagy: Fine tuning plant programmed cell death for enhanced crop resilience and yield","authors":"Tingting Fan ,&nbsp;Gang Yang ,&nbsp;Hua Zhang ,&nbsp;Junyan Wu ,&nbsp;Abbas Muhammad Fahim ,&nbsp;Wangtian Wang ,&nbsp;Li Ma ,&nbsp;Lijun Liu ,&nbsp;Yuanyuan Pu ,&nbsp;Wancang Sun ,&nbsp;Lizhe An","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Autophagy is a highly conserved intracellular degradation pathway in eukaryotes, is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, mediating stress responses, and regulating programmed cell death (PCD). Recent research has revealed its dual role in plant biology, where it can promote cell survival or execute cell death during development and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. We systematically review the regulatory mechanisms of autophagy in plant PCD, emphasizing its functional diversity and molecular underpinnings in developmental processes, pathogen infections, and environmental stress responses. By synthesizing these mechanistic insights, we propose a conceptual framework of “context-dependent molecular switches” that govern autophagy’s life-or-death decisions in plants. Furthermore, we explore the potential applications of modulating autophagy pathways for crop improvement, providing a theoretical foundation for breeding stress resistant and high yield varieties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100595"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}