Current Plant Biology最新文献

{"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":"Deep and shallow root ideotypes confer differential adaptation to single and combined nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency in eggplant MAGIC lines","authors":"Andrea Arrones ,&nbsp;Gloria Villanueva,&nbsp;Martín Flores-Saavedra,&nbsp;Andrea Solana,&nbsp;Mariola Plazas,&nbsp;Santiago Vilanova,&nbsp;Jaime Prohens,&nbsp;Pietro Gramazio","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing crop yields has traditionally relied on over-fertilization, mainly with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). To move towards sustainability, breeding for optimized root system architecture (RSA) is crucial for adaptation to low inputs. Leveraging genomic information from a 325-line eggplant multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population and root phenotyping data from a previously characterized subset of 212 lines under standard conditions, we applied genomic prediction models to identify genotypes with contrasting deep and shallow root ideotypes. Integration of 293,783 high-quality SNPs with the phenotypic training set enabled the selection of 12 promising lines. These lines were assessed at seedling stage for both above- and below-ground performance under single and combined N and P deprivation (–N, –P, and –NP) to understand root strategies for resilience. General trends showed that –N was associated with chlorosis and deeper root systems (increasing by 92.3% compared to the control), while –P exhibited the most detrimental effect on overall plant performance (aerial biomass average reduction of 78.3% relative to the control). Strikingly, a combined –NP deficiency appeared to induce a more stable physiological state, with overall performance comparable to –N alone. The analysis of the top-performing lines revealed unique strategies mainly driven by lateral root density and root depth plasticity or stability to mitigate negative impacts on aerial growth performance. Importantly, these results demonstrate that genomic prediction can effectively identify root ideotypes with functional relevance. The selected lines represent valuable genetic resources for breeding and hold potential as rootstocks, capable of thriving in nutrient-deficient environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100622"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147996328","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 analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptome reveals the mechanism of differences in adventitious root formation ability between juvenile and mature shoots of apricot","authors":"Juanjuan Ling ,&nbsp;Wenjian Yu ,&nbsp;Meiling Zhang ,&nbsp;Li Yang ,&nbsp;Junhuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Haoyuan Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The adventitious root formation in fruit trees is crucial for cultivating high-quality rootstocks. It is currently understood that organogenesis varies significantly among tissues of different physiological ages, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. To uncover the mechanism, this study systematically compared the differences in adventitious root formation ability, genome-wide DNA methylation patterns, and transcriptome expression profiles between rejuvenated apricot materials (basal shoots, BS) and mature materials (annual shoots at the top, AS). The results revealed that BS achieved an adventitious root formation rate of approximately 35%, compared to merely 5% in AS. Furthermore, BS displayed a thinner cortex and reduced lignification in parenchyma tissue. Additionally, lower DNA methylation levels were observed in the promoter and gene coding regions. Transcriptome data revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AS and BS were significantly enriched in pathways related to plant hormone signal transduction and cell wall metabolism. Integrated analysis found that the overlapping genes between differentially methylated regions and DEGs were involved in the biosynthesis and degradation processes of cellulose, pectin, and lignin. The low methylation levels in the promoters of pectin hydrolase-encoding genes and coniferin/sinapyl alcohol synthesis-related genes in BS may be key to releasing transcriptional repression, thereby promoting cell wall softening, enhancing plasticity, and creating a favorable cytological microenvironment for adventitious root formation. This study deepens the understanding of the mechanism of adventitious root formation in apricots from epigenetic and transcriptional perspectives, providing a theoretical basis and candidate targets for improving rootstock rooting ability through genetic engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100621"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951993","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":"Plant intelligence in silico: Integrating hybrid artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to decode adaptive plant strategies","authors":"Mohsen Yoosefzadeh-Najafabadi ,&nbsp;Dominique Michaud ,&nbsp;Davoud Torkamaneh","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant intelligence is defined as the capacity of plants to integrate environmental signals through distributed biochemical, electrical, and epigenetic networks, resulting in adaptive physiological or developmental responses without requiring neural cognition. This definition distinguishes plant adaptive plasticity from animal cognition while maintaining a rigorous biological framework. This phenomenon has captivated biologists for decades, yet its underlying mechanisms remain elusive amid intricate biological interactions and vast, complex datasets. Recent breakthroughs in synthetic biology and artificial intelligence (AI) offer unprecedented opportunities to decode these adaptive strategies <em>in silico</em>. This review explores hybrid AI systems that integrates predictive AI, agent-based modelling, including large language models (LLMs) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and bio-inspired algorithms, charting innovative pathways for simulating and investigating plant adaptive behaviours via synthetic biology. We highlight how these hybrid approaches bridge empirical science and theoretical insights, empowering the design of resilient synthetic biological systems that emulate plants' extraordinary adaptability to diverse challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100623"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147996327","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":"Development of BsPhyC phytase-enriched tomatoes to enhance micronutrient bioavailability in plant-based diets","authors":"Tanushri Kaul ,&nbsp;Chinreddy Subramanyam Reddy ,&nbsp;Rashmi Kaul,&nbsp;Arulprakash Thangaraj,&nbsp;Jyotsna Bharti,&nbsp;Rachana Verma,&nbsp;Puja Chakraborty,&nbsp;Isha Gupta,&nbsp;R. Shubhra Maithreyi,&nbsp;Sugyanpreet","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate), a predominant antinutrient in plant-based diets, limits the bioavailability of essential minerals in monogastric animals and humans. To overcome this nutritional limitation, we developed transgenic tomato lines constitutively expressing the <em>BsPhyC</em> phytase gene. PCR and Southern blot confirmed stable T-DNA integration, and transgenic fruits (T₂-4 and T₂-14) showed 2–3-fold higher phytase activity than controls. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses further revealed enhanced lycopene and β-carotene levels by approximately 2 and 2.5-fold, respectively. <em>In vivo</em> bioavailability assays using <em>BsPhyC</em> tomato extracts demonstrated a significant increase in essential minerals including Fe, Ca, P, K, Zn, Mn, and Co, indicating enhanced nutrient absorption. These results support <em>BsPhyC</em> tomato lines as a dual-purpose biofortified crop to combat hidden hunger by enhancing micronutrient bioavailability and provitamin A, carotenoids in plant-based diets. The development of phytase-rich transgenic tomatoes provides an innovative strategy to overcome the challenges posed by phytic acid in plant-based diets, offering a promising dietary intervention to enhance nutrient absorption, especially in populations reliant on cereals and legumes. This strategy presents an innovative and sustainable approach to combatting hidden hunger and improving public health in plant-based dietary systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100617"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951991","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}