The South to North Water Diversion Project is the largest water diversion project in China. The water source of this project is located in a remote mountainous area with underdeveloped economy and frequent natural disasters, which exacerbates the threat of unsustainable livelihoods for farmers. This study takes the representative county of Luonan as an example and constructs a framework for assessing the livelihood vulnerability of farmers from three aspects: exposure risk, adaptability, and sensitivity. The comprehensive index method was used to explore the impact and mechanism of household income, education level, head of household age, and living environment on livelihood vulnerability. The results indicate that: (1) the comprehensive evaluation value of farmers' livelihood vulnerability is positive, indicating that farmers' risk resistance cannot offset the risks they face. (2) The income level has a significant impact on the livelihood vulnerability of farmers, with low-income farmers having the highest livelihood vulnerability value and middle-income farmers having the lowest. (3) There is a negative correlation between education level and livelihood vulnerability. (4) The age and residential height of the household head are positively correlated with the livelihood vulnerability value. This study provides a scientific basis for formulating policies to improve the livelihood capacity of farmers in the water source areas of the South to North Water Diversion Project, and also provides theoretical references for addressing the livelihood vulnerability of farmers in similar regions.

Sunlight fuels life but generates singlet oxygen (1O2), which causes photodamage and triggers signaling and antioxidative defense pathways in chloroplasts where photosynthesis takes place. How cells sense 1O2 and instantaneously mount photoprotection remains elusive. Here, we show that a key mediator of 1O2 responses, METHYLENE BLUE SENSITIVITY1 (MBS1), is conserved from plants to animals and comprises a zinc-finger (ZnF) domain flanked by intrinsically disordered regions. MBS1 plays a critical role in ¹O₂ sensing through ZnF conformational change and phase transition from liquid-like droplets to lower-dynamic condensates. These chloroplast-associated condensates under high light attenuate light penetration to shield chloroplasts from photodamage. In rice, MBS1-overexpressing lines exhibit enhanced high-light tolerance and yield in 4-year field trials. Our findings uncover a "sunscreening" mechanism via MBS1 condensates that confer chloroplast photoprotection, highlighting its value for improving rice yields in the field under high-light stress exacerbated by climate change.

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of plant hormones essential for tiller development and yield under diverse environmental conditions. Drought is a major limiting factor for rice yields. Although SLs contribute to drought resistance, mechanisms and practical applications of SL pathway in drought acclimation of rice remain poorly understood. Our study shows that short-term dehydration represses SL biosynthesis in rice roots. Genetic assays indicate that disruption of SL biosynthesis or signaling elevates rice drought resistance, whereas SL signaling activation or supplementation with the SL analog GR244DO impairs drought resistance. SLs negatively regulate drought acclimation by promoting degradation of the repressor protein DWARF53 (D53). D53 interacts with the transcription factor OsWRKY31 via its N-terminal domain and suppresses the protein level of OsWRKY31, which binds to and represses transcription of the ZFP36 promoter. ZFP36 encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor that promotes H2O2 scavenging to sustain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis during drought stress. Notably, the drought-resistant upland rice variety IRAT109 exhibits lower SL levels in root exudates than the lowland rice variety Nipponbare (NP). Genome editing of key components in SL pathway enhances drought resistance in NP, Huazhan (HZ), and IRAT109. The agronomic potential of tuning SL biosynthesis is further supported by the elite D17/HTD1 allele, which weakens SL biosynthesis and improves drought resistance and grain yield in Nekken 2 (NK2) under field conditions. These findings uncover a key mechanism underlying SL-repressed drought acclimation in rice and provide an effective strategy to improve drought resistance in diverse rice varieties amid ongoing climate change.

The establishment of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) is crucial for the survival of many terrestrial plants in nutrient-poor environments. This symbiotic relationship begins with complex chemical communication that reprograms transcriptional responses in host plants to facilitate it. However, the precise mechanisms regulating mutual recognition and commitment between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and host plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified the NSP1-NSP2-SLR1-SMAX1 module as a central regulatory hub operating downstream of the phosphate starvation response, gibberellin (GA), and karrikin (KAR) signaling pathways to control presymbiotic transcriptional responses necessary for AMS establishment. Phosphorus starvation upregulates the transcription of NSP1 and NSP2, which control the expression of genes involved in strigolactone production and mycorrhizal factor recognition. We found that SLR1, the DELLA protein in the GA signaling pathway in rice, interacts with NSP2 and enhances the transcriptional activity of the NSP1-NSP2 complex. In addition, SLR1 interacts with SMAX1, a repressor of the KAR signaling pathway. The presence of AMF activates the KAR signaling pathway, which relieves the SMAX1-mediated repression of the transcriptional activity of NSP1-NSP2-SLR1, thereby triggering transcriptional host response signatures at the presymbiotic stage of AMS. Our findings reveal the function of the NSP1-NSP2-SLR1-SMAX1 module in integrating multiple signals to establish a permissive state for AMS in rice. While activation of the KAR signaling pathway by AMF is necessary, it alone is not sufficient to ensure successful root mycorrhizal colonization; activation of the common symbiosis signaling pathway by AMF is also required. This study advances our understanding of how molecular communication between AMF and host plants orchestrates the establishment of AMS.

Plant branching plasticity represents a critical adaptive strategy that enables dynamic architectural adjustments in response to environmental fluctuations. This review focuses on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying shoot branching regulation, emphasizing the interplay among hormone networks, sugar signaling, and transcriptional control. It also summarizes how environmental cues, such as nutrients, light, and abiotic stresses, influence shoot branching, offering a deeper understanding into the role of shoot branching plasticity in terms of plant fitness and agricultural productivity. Finally, this review highlights key areas for future research and explores the potential of advanced technologies for optimizing crop architecture.

Strigolactones (SLs) were initially identified as rhizosphere signals that trigger germination of parasitic weeds and promote branching in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. More recently, SLs have been characterized as a class of carotenoid-derived plant hormones that regulate plant architecture and stress responses. This review systematically summarizes their diverse functions in shaping shoot architecture and root development, as well as their ability to mediate acclimation to various abiotic and biotic stresses. It also discusses the canonical signaling module composed of D14, MAX2/D3, and D53/SMXLs and its extensive interactions with other hormonal pathways. Finally, this review suggests that future research should focus on elucidating the dynamic responses to environmental stress mediated by the SL pathway, decoding the functional diversification of SLs in different plant species, and leveraging SLs as rhizosphere signals to control parasitic weeds. Precise spatiotemporal modulation of SL activity is crucial for balancing its functional complexity and will contribute to designing crops with optimized plant architectures and enhanced stress resilience.

Parasitism with Striga poses a major threat to global food production. Striga germination and growth rely on strigolactones (SLs) exuded by crop roots under phosphate (Pi)-deficient conditions, although the mechanism of this host-parasite interaction remains elusive. In this study, transcriptomic and functional analyses of sorghum treated with Pi deficiency or the SL GR245DS identify two ABC transporter G (ABCG) transporters of SL, Sorghum biocolor strigolactones transporter 1 (SbSLT1) and SbSLT2. Using AlphaFold2 and amino acid conversion mutants, we identify highly conserved amino acids in SL transport channels essential for transport function. Sorghum lines with single or double knockouts of these transporters exhibit significantly reduced SL secretion from roots, leading to decreased Striga germination and parasitism in field experiments and consequently reducing the grain loss under Striga infestation. This study thus describes the mechanism of SL exudation in monocots and defines conserved residues essential for SL transporter function, offering a potential strategy for enhancing crop resistance to Striga parasitism.

Plant development is a serial and dynamic process that encompasses various stages, from embryogenesis to senescence, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying plant growth and development, highlighting key morphogenesis processes such as photomorphogenesis, plant growth, shoot branching, floral transition, flower development, fruit development and reproductivity specification. We delve into the molecular genetics of plant development, focusing on regulator and signaling pathways that govern critical developmental events. Furthermore, we discuss the role of phytohormones, including auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene, in regulating developmental transitions. The interaction between plants and their environment, particularly light, temperature, and nutrient availability, is also examined, emphasizing how these external cues impact developmental pathways. Overall, this comprehensive overview offers insights into the intricate interplay between genetic programs and environmental stimuli in shaping plant architecture and life cycle, which will facilitate smart breeding and intelligent cultivation.

Parasitic weeds of the Orobanchaceae family cause substantial economic losses and pose significant threats to global agriculture. However, management of such parasitism is challenging, and very few resistance genes have been cloned and characterized in depth. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study using 152 tomato accessions and identified SlABCG45 as a key gene that mediates host resistance to Phelipanche aegyptiaca by affecting the level of strigolactones (SLs) in root exudates. SLs are synthesized and released by host plants and act as germination stimulants for parasitic weeds. We found that SlABCG45 and its close homolog SlABCG44 were membrane-localized SL transporters with essential roles in exudation of SLs to the rhizosphere, resistance to Phelipanche and Orobanche, and upward transport of SLs from roots to shoots. As a predominant environmental stimulant exacerbates parasitism, phosphorus deficiency dramatically induced SlABCG45 expression and weakly induced SlABCG44 expression via the transcription factors SlNSP1 and SlNSP2. Knockout of SlABCG45 in tomato had little effect on yield traits in a broomrape-free field, but conferred increased resistance to different Phelipanche and Orobanche species, resulting in an ∼30% yield increase in a Phelipanche-infested field. Our findings reveal that targeting a single gene by genome editing can confer broad-spectrum parasite resistance in tomato, providing an effective strategy for the sustainable control of parasitic plants in agriculture.

Strigolactones (SLs) are intriguing phytohormones that play essential roles in branch or tiller development and adaptation to nutrient availability. Tillering control is a means of improving the grain yield of cereal crops, particularly under nutrient-limited conditions. Recent research has provided new insights into the activation, termination and regulatory mechanisms of SL perception, as well as exciting insights into the low nitrogen (LN)-triggered phosphorylation of SL receptors, which is crucial for the tillering response to fluctuations in nitrogen availability. Low phosphorus (LP) induces accumulation of SLs, which inhibit tillering and facilitate the balance of nitrogen and phosphorus through the SL signaling pathway. Current understanding of SL-mediated nutrient responses offers promising avenues for molecular breeding strategies aimed at improving crop yield and resource use efficiency.

Rice tillering is an important agronomic trait regulated by plant genetic and environmental factors. However, the role and mechanism of the root microbiota in modulating rice tillering have not been explored. Here, we examined the root microbiota composition and tiller numbers of 182 genome-sequenced rice varieties grown under field conditions and uncovered a significant correlation between root microbiota composition and rice tiller number. Using cultivated bacterial isolates, we demonstrated that various members of the root microbiota can regulate rice tillering in both laboratory and field conditions. Genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses revealed that cyclo(Leu-Pro), produced by the tiller-inhibiting bacterium Exiguobacterium R2567, activates the rice strigolactone (SL) signaling pathway by binding to the SL receptor OsD14, thus regulating tillering. The present work provides insight into how the root microbiota regulates key agronomic traits and offers a promising strategy for optimizing crop growth by harnessing the root microbiota in sustainable agriculture.

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is highly popular due to its unique flavor. However, there was limited research on the primary volatiles that influence the different flavors of fresh peppers. In this study, peppers with three aroma compound types denoted as “grassy,” “fruity,” and “no special aroma” (control) were analyzed using sensory evaluation combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC–O). Altogether, 393 volatiles were identified by GC–MS, and the main volatiles in peppers (C. chinense Jacq.) were esters and terpenoids. GC–O and relative odor activity value analysis revealed that 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine had a highly bitter, spicy aroma intensity in all peppers. Hexanal and trans-2-hexenal were the main aroma-active compounds in grassy peppers. In addition, citronellal was determined to be a crucial aroma-active compound in fruity peppers. This study offers a theoretical foundation for guiding the growth of the pepper processing industry and breeding.

>Phytohormones play important roles in orchestrating plant immune responses to pathogen attacks. Strigolactones(SLs), a group of carotenoid-derived phytohormones, modulate diverse biological processes in plants, including shoot branching, plant height, root architecture, leaf senescence,seed germination of parasitic plants, and symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Burger and Chory, 2020).

Abstract Bacillus subtilis has been widely used as a biological control agent in agricultural production. Environmental strains of B. subtilis are an important source of biological control agents. However, due to its low genetic transformation efficiency, the genetic manipulation of the environmental and nondomesticated strains is challenging. In this study, the impact of competent cell preparation, pulse electroporation, and recovery culture on the electroporation efficiency of B. subtilis GLB191 was assessed utilizing response surface methodology. Results indicated that the concentration of glycine, DL-threonine, and Tween 80 used in a cell wall weakening solution during competent cell preparation, and the voltage applied during pulse electroporation were the primary factors affecting electroporation efficiency. Optimization of these factors led to nearly a three-fold increase (reaching 74.00 ± 5.10 CFU/µg DNA) in electroporation efficiency. The elimination of dam and dcm modifications to mitigate the influence of host restriction-modification systems was integrated to further increase the electroporation efficacy. An electroporation efficiency for replicative plasmids of 1.96 ± 0.05 × 106 CFU/µg DNA was achieved using the optimized strategy. Utilizing this improved methodology, the temperature-sensitive plasmid pJOE8899 was efficiently transformed into B. subtilis GLB191, resulting in a markerless knockout of pdeH. The optimized transformation strategy significantly enhances the efficiency of markerless genome editing of nondomesticated B. subtilis, offering the potential for future interpretation of their modes of action, which is critical for the development of the nondomesticated B. subtilis strains.

Strigolactones (SLs) are hormones essential for plant development and environmental responses. SL perception requires the formation of the complex composed of an SL receptor DWARF14 (D14), F-box protein D3, and transcriptional repressor D53, triggering ubiquitination and degradation of D53 to activate signal transduction. However, mechanisms of SL perception and their influence on plant architecture and environmental responses remain elusive and controversial. Here, we report that key residues at interfaces of the AtD14-D3-ASK1 complex are essential for the activation of SL perception, discover that overexpression of the D3-CTH motif negatively regulates SL perception to enhance tillering, and reveal the importance of phosphorylation and N-terminal disordered (NTD) domain in mediating ubiquitination and degradation of D14. Importantly, low nitrogen promotes phosphorylation and stabilization of D14 to repress rice tillering. These findings reveal a panorama of the activation, termination, and regulation of SL perception, which determines the plasticity of plant architecture in complex environments.

This article is a Commentary on Chi et al. (2025), 245: 1106–1123.

Strigolactones (SLs) play fundamental roles in regulating plant architecture, which is a major factor determining crop yield. The perception and signal transduction of SLs require the formation of a complex containing the receptor DWARF14 (D14), an F-box protein D3 and a transcriptional regulator D53 in an SL-dependent manner. Structural and biochemical analyses of D14 and its orthologs DAD2 and AtD14, D3 and the complexes of ASK1-D3-AtD14 and D3(CTH)-D14 have made great contributions to understanding the mechanisms of SL perception. However, structural analyses of D53 and the D53-D3-D14 holo-complex are challenging, and the biochemical mechanism underlying the complex assembly remains poorly understood. Here, we found that apo-D53 was rather flexible and reconstituted the holo-complex containing D53, S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1), D3 and D14 with rac-GR24. The cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of SKP1-D3-D14 in the presence of D53 was analyzed and superimposed on the crystal structure of ASK1-D3-AtD14 without D53. No large conformational rearrangement was observed, but a 9 & ANGS; rotation appeared between D14 and AtD14. Using hydrogen-deuterium exchange monitored by mass spectrometry, we analyzed dynamic motifs of D14, D3 and D53 in the D53-SKP1-D3-D14 complex assembly process and further identified two potential interfaces in D53 that are located in the N and D2 domains, respectively. Together, our results uncovered the dynamic conformational changes and built a model of the holo-complex D53-SKP1-D3-D14, offering valuable information for the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of SL perception and signal transduction.