Pathogen pressure threatens legume crop productivity worldwide. Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors serve as crucial plant resistance genes, recognizing pathogens and triggering immunity. However, the extent and patterns of NLR expression in different tissues and organs, notably across evolutionary time, remain largely uncharacterized. To investigate tissue-specificity of NLR expression in the Fabaceae (legumes), we conducted comparative analyses integrating phylogenomics and transcriptomics in root and shoot tissues across different legume species. The NLR repertoires of 28 legumes were grouped into five monophyletic clades: coiled-coil NLR (CC-NLR), Toll/interleukin-1 receptor NLR (TIR-NLR), G10-subclade CC NLR (CCG10-NLR), RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8-like CC NLR (CCR-NLR), and TIR-NB-ARC-like β-propeller WD40/tetratricopeptide repeats (TNPs). Most legume NLRs belonged to CC-NLR and TIR-NLR clades, followed by CCG10-NLR, CCR-NLR, and TNP clades. In seven of these species, comparative analysis of NLR expression in leaves versus roots revealed that over half (~57%) of expressed NLR genes showed predominant expression in one tissue: 34% in roots (451/1336), and 23% in leaves (311/1336). We identified 324 root-specific NLRs, 171 leaf-specific NLRs, and 841 non-specific NLRs, with an average tissue specificity per species of 32%. The closely related species grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) and pea (Pisum sativum) were an exception, showing higher levels of leaf-specific rather than root-specific NLR expression. We also identified conserved tissue expression patterns across legume species, resulting in a comprehensive resource describing tissue expression bias, enrichment, and specificity for 113 phylogenetic NLR subclasses. These legume NLR repertoires will support comparative studies between species and inform precision-breeding programs considering tissue expression patterns. ### Competing Interest Statement S.K. receives funding from industry to study NLR biology and is a co-founder of start-up companies that focus on plant disease resistance. J.K. and S.K. have filed patents on NLR biology. The other authors declare that they have no competing interests. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), UI/BD/151214/2021, CEECIND/00198/2017, UID/04551/2025, UID/PRR/04551/2025, LA/P/0087/2020 Gatsby Charitable Foundation, https://ror.org/0290hax27 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), BB/P012574, BBS/E/J/000PR9795, BBS/E/J/000PR9796, BBS/E/J/000PR9797, BBS/E/J/000PR9798 European Research Council, 743165 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EP/Y032187/1

NLR annotation files, data, and related analysis outputs for preprint "Legume NLR immune receptors exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns across species"

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a grain legume of increasing importance in the Mediterranean region due to its outstanding tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salinity, heat, drought, and flooding, outperforming many other legume species. Despite established natural phenotypic variation in response to water-related stresses, the genetic basis of this resilience remains poorly understood, hindering precision breeding for single and combined stress tolerance. A genome-wide association study was conducted here to investigate the genetic architecture of water stress responses in grass pea. Previously, phenotypic data, including gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status, and biomass partitioning traits, were assessed under well-watered, mild drought, and partial submergence conditions across 194 representative grass pea accessions worldwide. The data were associated with 5,651 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using linear mixed models under a restricted maximum likelihood framework, incorporating population structure and the newly assembled L0007 genome. A total of 130 unique SNPs associated with at least one trait-treatment combination or with trait variation between stress and control conditions, providing a valuable resource for precision breeding of multi-stress tolerance in grass pea. The loci associated with drought and waterlogging were largely non-overlapping, suggesting distinct genetic bases for the two stress tolerances. However, some common mechanisms, such as redox regulation and carbohydrate metabolism, emerged among the identified candidate genes, highlighting some interconnectedness of biological pathways involved in grass pea responses to water stress.

Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) is a valuable crop for sustainable agriculture, offering dietary benefits and desirable agronomic traits. However, its yield stability is limited by diseases such as powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi. Increasing fungal resistance to pesticides and environmental concerns demand the development of resistant crop varieties. To identify key defense mechanisms and effector genes involved in the Lathyrus sativus-Erysiphe pisi interaction we analyzed four L. sativus accessions exhibiting varying resistance to E. pisi (resistant, partially resistant, partially susceptible, and susceptible) using a dual RNA-Seq experiment across different time points. We observed a host biphasic response, characterized by an initial burst of gene expression, followed by a quiescent phase, and a subsequent wave of intense gene expression. Common L. sativus defense mechanisms included antifungal protein expression, cell wall reinforcement, and reactive oxygen species-mediated defense. These defenses involved respectively Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitors, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases and mannitol dehydrogenases. The resistant accession specifically activated early reinforcement of structural barriers associated with lignin biosynthesis and the phenylpropanoid pathway, along with sustained chemical defenses (e.g. eugenol synthase 1), epigenetic regulation, and oxidative stress responses thorough peroxidases and heat shock proteins. The partial resistant accession exhibited a front-loaded defense response at early infection stages. Contrastingly, the partially susceptible accession exhibited a weaker baseline defense, with a slower and less robust response targeting pathogen infection. We identified potential E. pisi effectors, including genes involved in cell wall hydrolysis (e.g. mannosidase DCW1), nutrient acquisition (e.g. secreted alpha-glucosidase), and virulence (e.g. SnodProt1), with a higher diversity of effectors identified in the susceptible accession. In conclusion, this study identifies novel targets such as NLRs and effectors, antifungal proteins and genes related to cell wall reinforcement, within the complex Lathyrus sativus-Erysiphe pisi interaction to support future breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance to E. pisi in L. sativus and related species.

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is a nutrient-rich, and “climate-resilient” grain legume neglected due to low yields and the presence of the neurotoxin β-ODAP. Its crop wild relative, Lathyrus cicera, shows lower ODAP contents, earliness, and better adaptation to low-rainfall. Through sexual crossing, hybrids-derived lines were successfully developed and selected based on fertility and adaptation, but not thoroughly evaluated until the present study. This study evaluated 14 of these L. cicera x L. sativus hybrid-derived lines, alongside four parental lines, over three seasons in Mediterranean environments, assessing a total of 19 diverse traits. Traits assessed included growth-, cycle duration-, yield-, seed type-, pest susceptibility-, and seed quality-related. Linear mixed models were applied to analyze diversity and Principal Component Analysis summarized hybrids similarities. Selection and backcrossing resulted in introgressed plants resembling L. sativus parents in flower and seed coat colour, but for some traits were different from these parents. The introgression of L. cicera phenotypes was observed in cycle duration-related traits, with several hybrid-derived lines earlier than L. sativus parents, but similar or later than L. cicera parents. Likewise, for the quality-related trait L-homoarginine seed content, one hybrid-derived line depicted higher content than any parent, suggesting transgressive segregation. Transgressive segregation was also detected for some seed type-related traits, with hybrid-derived lines depicting longer or flatter seeds than any parent. The introgression of beneficial alleles from L. cicera into L. sativus background seems a reliable approach to create variability and combine desirable quality and adaptive traits for grass pea improvement under Mediterranean conditions.

Root rot caused by Aphanomyces euteiches is a major concern in pea (Pisum sativum L.). The lack of other effective control strategies makes crucial the development of resistant varieties. Although partial resistance has been reported, its quantitative inheritance, the association of resistance-linked genomic regions with unfavorable agronomic traits, and the limited understanding of soil pathogen populations hinder its progress in breeding programs. To search for alternative genomic regions associated with this partial resistance, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on a pea collection not yet explored for A. euteiches resistance in genetic studies. The 323 accessions of the collection were inoculated with RB84 isolate, and foliar and root symptoms were assessed 20 days after inoculation. The performed GWAS revealed 27 significantly associated markers among 26,045 SilicoDArT and 7033 single-nucleotide polymorphism marker datasets. Detected markers were distributed along the seven pea chromosomes, with 12 within previously described quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Chromosomes 2 and 5 harbored a significant number of associated markers, identified here for the first time, highlighting promising regions for future investigation. Twenty-one candidate resistance genes were identified. This study uncovers new genomic regions linked with A. euteiches resistance and provides molecular markers and candidate genes to support precision breeding. Newly identified QTL may be more effective against specific isolates than known QTL, enabling improved QTL rotation in the field.

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi, E. trifolii) and rust (Uromyces pisi) are important diseases affecting grass pea (Lathyrus sativus). This study investigates grass pea's histological, enzymatic, and metabolic responses to these pathogens using accessions with contrasting resistance. Partially resistant (PR) accessions exhibited smaller fungal colonies from 48 h after inoculation (HAI) onwards. Enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed as early as 12 HAI in PR accessions against both powdery mildews, associated with increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activity in E. trifolii and E. pisi infections, respectively. Moreover, phenolic compounds and flavonoids accumulated in E. trifolii-infected PR accessions (6-48 HAI). For rust, APX activity rose at 48 HAI in PR accessions. These findings suggest that partial resistance (PR) in grass pea is characterized by restricted pathogen invasion and a dynamic regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes, with responses varying across pathosystems. This highlights the importance of pathogen-specific selection strategies to minimize the risk of resistance breakdown and promote durable disease resistance in breeding programs.

‘Galega vulgar’, a genetically diverse variety, is the main olive tree variety across Portugal, being broadly cultivated across distinct environments. ‘Galega vulgar’ is presently being replaced by higher-yielding, although lower-quality, foreign varieties and efforts must be made to counteract this tendency, and to more efficient explore ‘Galega vulgar’ to the profit of olive tree producers, and the remaining market stakeholders. For that, in the present research, an evaluation of the influence of genetic and environmental factors and their interactions in the phenotypic variability of ‘Galega vulgar’ was performed, focused mainly on important traits to olive stakeholders (namely, fruit-related traits such as fruit and flesh weight and flesh-to-stone ratios and oil-related traits), towards the selection of the best representatives of the variability found. A three-year in-situ detailed agronomic characterization was conducted taking advantage of a previously defined ‘Galega vulgar’ collection composed of 595 trees from 95 clones, cultivated across all the Portuguese geographical districts where ‘Galega vulgar’ has representativeness (10 districts), considering thirteen phenotypic traits. The environment was the main contributor to the phenotypic variability observed on the ‘Galega vulgar’ variety. Significant differences for almost all the analysed traits were detected across years, trees, and geographical districts, with significant district-by-clone interactions. Of the two most frequent clones, clone C002 was the most stable across the geographical districts under study. The present work provides information on the phenotypic variability of ‘Galega vulgar’ important fruit and oil related traits across different environments, of utmost importance from the conservation, breeding, resilience, and production perspectives, considering the pressing need to adapt to climate change effects. In addition, since a significant geographic district x clone interaction was observed, the generated knowledge may now contribute to a better adjustment of the right clone for the right region in what respects new orchards establishment. A set of ‘Galega vulgar’ trees, primarily identified as belonging to the same clones, was selected due to their ‘residual’ phenotypic variability. These trees will contribute to broadening the genetic basis of a previously defined ex-situ conservation base ‘Galega vulgar’ collection of trees, to be trialled in a comparative field experiment, under the same environmental conditions. These experiments are needed for a more precise evaluation of the genetic potential of this variety, towards future genetic studies to clarify the complex genetic control of traditional olive breeding targeted traits and to develop molecular selection tools to support precision olive breeding.

Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an underutilised but promising legume crop with tolerance to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stress factors, and potential for climate-resilient agriculture. Despite a long history and wide geographical distribution of cultivation, only limited breeding resources are available. This paper reports a 5.96 Gbp genome assembly of grasspea genotype LS007, of which 5.03 Gbp is scaffolded into 7 pseudo-chromosomes. The assembly has a BUSCO completeness score of 99.1% and is annotated with 31719 gene models and repeat elements. This represents the most contiguous and accurate assembly of the grasspea genome to date.

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an annual cool-season grain legume, recognized as a stress-resilient crop, able to thrive in unfavourable growing conditions. It is widely cultivated in different world regions, with two main ecotypes based on seed traits. Particularly, in the Mediterranean region, climate change has amplified environmental instability, creating a fundamental need for producing more resilient or adaptable plant varieties. With the present study, we aimed to identify, among grass pea germplasm, new sources of interesting agronomic traits that can be used in breeding programs for adaptation to climate change. Hence, we trialled a worldwide grass pea collection of 182 accessions in Alvaiázere, Portugal, a Mediterranean climate region, across four growing seasons. We characterized the accessions for plant growth-, inflorescence-, seed-, and yield-related traits. By applying linear mixed models analysis, we assessed the diversity among accessions, as well as the genotype, the environment, and the genotype-by-environment effects. A principal component analysis was performed to summarize multivariate similarities among grass pea accessions and/or growing seasons. Additionally, we estimated the main ecotype clustering parameters, seed coat colour, seed size, and geographical origin, effects on the measured traits. Great diversity among accessions for all traits was observed. For most traits, the effect of the growing season was the most prominent, although significant genotype and genotype-by-environment interaction effects were also observed. Yield was higher on large and light seed accessions, with no significant yield differences detected across geographical origins. Nevertheless, South Asian accessions showed the tallest plants at the first flower and the highest number of seeds per plant (although with the smallest seed sizes), two of the most important yield components in the study. The Sub-Saharan African accessions showed the shortest growth cycles and mainly dark coat colours, trait associated with a reduced infestation by Bruchus weevils. The last two traits are of great interest as breeding targets. The Sub-Saharan accessions may thus be of significant value as potential donor material in breeding programs.

AbstractLathyrus sativus(grass pea) is a valuable crop for sustainable agriculture, offering both dietary benefits and desirable agronomic traits. However, its yield stability is limited by different diseases such as powdery mildew caused byErysiphe pisi. Frequent fungal resistance to pesticides and growing environmental concerns highlight the need for research investment to develop resistant crop varieties. FourL. sativusaccessions, exhibiting varying levels of resistance toE. pisi(resistant, partially resistant, partially susceptible, and susceptible), were analysed using dual RNA-seq to identify key defence mechanisms and effector genes involved in this plant-pathogen interaction. The dual transcriptomic analysis highlighted a host biphasic response, characterised by an initial burst of gene expression, followed by a quiescent phase, and a second wave of intense gene expression at 72 hours after inoculation. CommonL. sativusdefence mechanisms, including antifungal protein expression, cell wall reinforcement, reactive oxygen species-mediated defence were activated by all accessions compared to susceptible accession. Unique responses in the resistant accession integrate early reinforcement of structural barriers with sustained chemical defences and stress responses. Overall, the partially resistant accession exhibited a front-loaded defence response, focused on biotic stimuli and interspecies interactions at early infection stages. In contrast, partial susceptible accessions exhibited a weaker baseline defence system, with a slower and less robust response specifically targeting pathogen infection. We identified potentialE. pisieffectors, including genes involved in cell wall hydrolysis, nutrient acquisition, and virulence, with a higher diversity of effectors identified in the susceptible accession. This study identifies novel targets within the complex defence mechanisms of theLathyrus sativus-Erysiphe pisiinteraction that will support to future breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance toE. pisiinL. sativusand other related species.

The grain legume Lathyrus sativus L. (grass pea) is of high economic importance for food and feed in Asian and African developing countries and is part of cultural heritage of marginal areas in the Mediterranean region. Its outstanding robustness under adverse environmental conditions, when compared with other legume species, raises particular interest under the current climate change scenario. The aim of this work was to study the range, extent and mechanisms underlying this species’ reported tolerance to water stress. To achieve this, a worldwide representative collection of 194 grass pea accessions was subjected to specific well-watered, water deficit and waterlogging conditions. These conditions were defined previously to elicit differential physiologic responses among the collection on 21 days old plants as continuously kept at 95% field capacity, at 5 days without irrigation reaching 55% field capacity, and at 14 days of partial submergence, respectively. The assessment encompassed a comprehensive set of 20 traits, including gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, leaf photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status and biomass partitioning. This detailed phenotypic analysis demonstrated that leaf relative water content and gas-exchange related traits are particularly useful to differentiate accessions’ response to water treatments. We discovered that accessions with light and large seeds mostly of Mediterranean and East European origins produce plants with high total dry biomass, a trait that is mostly genetically determined and less affected by the water treatment. On the other hand, it is mainly dark and small seeded accessions that show advantageous physiological responses to water deficit and/or waterlogging, according to pigment contents, root to shoot ratio and water use efficiency traits. This integrative screening also allowed the identification of accessions displaying contrasting levels of tolerance and susceptibility to each stress (five tolerant and five susceptible to each stress), plus one multi-tolerant (PI283546) and one multi-susceptible (PTLS1001) accession. A comprehensive and deep understanding of grass pea’s water stress tolerance mechanisms is the first step for a more efficient exploitation of this grain legume as a model crop for multiple abiotic stress resistance studies and opens doors for further progresses on crop breeding efforts towards securing food and feed supplies.

Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) is a valuable crop for sustainable agriculture, offering both dietary benefits and desirable agronomic traits. However, its yield stability is limited by different diseases such as powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi . Frequent fungal resistance to pesticides and growing environmental concerns highlight the need for research investment to develop resistant crop varieties. Four L. sativus accessions, exhibiting varying levels of resistance to E. pisi (resistant, partially resistant, partially susceptible, and susceptible), were analysed using dual RNA-seq to identify key defence mechanisms and effector genes involved in this plant-pathogen interaction. The dual transcriptomic analysis highlighted a host biphasic response, characterised by an initial burst of gene expression, followed by a quiescent phase, and a second wave of intense gene expression at 72 hours after inoculation. Common L. sativus defence mechanisms, including antifungal protein expression, cell wall reinforcement, reactive oxygen species-mediated defence were activated by all accessions compared to susceptible accession. Unique responses in the resistant accession integrate early reinforcement of structural barriers with sustained chemical defences and stress responses. Overall, the partially resistant accession exhibited a front-loaded defence response, focused on biotic stimuli and interspecies interactions at early infection stages. In contrast, partial susceptible accessions exhibited a weaker baseline defence system, with a slower and less robust response specifically targeting pathogen infection. We identified potential E. pisi effectors, including genes involved in cell wall hydrolysis, nutrient acquisition, and virulence, with a higher diversity of effectors identified in the susceptible accession. This study identifies novel targets within the complex defence mechanisms of the Lathyrus sativus-Erysiphe pisi interaction that will support to future breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance to E. pisi in L. sativus and other related species. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Legumes have been sought as alternative protein sources to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. Characterizing their protein content and quality, including in underutilized grain legumes, e.g., grass pea, gives value to the legumes’ underexplored variability. To fill the gap of knowledge in legumes’ protein quality, for the first time, five extensive collections of cool season grain legumes were cropped under the same environmental conditions and further analyzed. Multivariate analysis showed the existent intra- and inter-species variability. The legume species with the highest protein content, grass pea, Lathyrus sativus (LS), was not the one with the overall highest individual amino acids content and in vitro protein digestibility. With these last characteristics lentil, Lens culinaris (LC), was highlighted. The highest average values of arginine (Arg), glutamic acid (Glu), and threonine (Thr) were found in LS and Vicia faba (VF). Cicer arietinum (CA) stood out as the species with the highest values of Thr and methionine (Met). Regarding the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), LC, followed by Pisum sativum (PS) and LS, were the legume species with the highest values. Ultimately, this study bought to the fore legume species that are not commonly used in western diets but have high adaptability to the European agricultural systems.

Powdery mildew on Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) is commonly caused by Erysiphe pisi, the causal agent of pea powdery mildew. E. trifolii could also pose an additional threat to grass pea, as it does to pea (Pisum sativum). In order to understand the potential threat and the availability of resistance sources, the response to both pathogens was analyzed on a worldwide germplasm collection of 189 grass pea accessions. Infection type and disease severity (DS) of grass pea accessions, independently inoculated with E. pisi and E. trifolii, were evaluated under controlled conditions. A wide range of responses were detected, with the previously uncharacterized partial resistance to E. trifolii in grass pea detected less frequently and uncorrelated with partial resistance against E. pisi. To test for the lack of correlation at the genetic level, an exploratory association mapping study was undertaken by statistically combining grass pea collection DS scores against both pathogens, with 5,651 previously screened genotype-by-sequencing-based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Mostly different genetic regions in grass pea were identified as being associated with the response to E. trifolii and E. pisi, anticipating an independent genetic basis that requires further validation in larger germplasm collections, with higher SNP densities. This study proposes common and unique partial resistance components against two different powdery mildews, implying the need for complementary approaches to introduce resistance to both pathogens into new grass pea varieties. The identified sources of resistance and predicted genomic targets will assist in breeding for resistance to multiple powdery mildews.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important food legumes worldwide, and its production is severely affected by fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Portugal has a diverse germplasm, with accessions of Andean, Mesoamerican, and admixed origin, making it a valuable resource for common bean genetic studies. In this work, we evaluated the response of a Portuguese collection of 146 common bean accessions to Erysiphe diffusa infection, observing a wide range of disease severity and different levels of compatible and incompatible reactions, revealing the presence of different resistance mechanisms. We identified 11 incompletely hypersensitive resistant and 80 partially resistant accessions. We performed a genome-wide association study to clarify its genetic control, resulting in the identification of eight disease severity-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms, spread across chromosomes Pv03, Pv09, and Pv10. Two of the associations were unique to partial resistance and one to incomplete hypersensitive resistance. The proportion of variance explained by each association varied between 15 and 86%. The absence of a major locus, together with the relatively small number of loci controlling disease severity, suggested an oligogenic inheritance of both types of resistance. Seven candidate genes were proposed, including a disease resistance protein (toll interleukin 1 receptor-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat class), an NF-Y transcription factor complex component, and an ABC-2 type transporter family protein. This work contributes with new resistance sources and genomic targets valuable to develop selection molecular tools and support powdery mildew resistance precision breeding in common bean.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is one of the legume crops most consumed worldwide and bean rust is one of the most severe foliar biotrophic fungal diseases impacting its production. In this work, we searched for new sources of rust resistance (Uromyces appendiculatus) in a representative collection of the Portuguese germplasm, known to have accessions with an admixed genetic background between Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools. We identified six accessions with incomplete hypersensitive resistance and 20 partially resistant accessions of Andean, Mesoamerican, and admixed origin. We detected 11 disease severity-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a genome-wide association approach. Six of the associations were related to partial (incomplete non-hypersensitive) resistance and five to incomplete hypersensitive resistance, and the proportion of variance explained by each association varied from 4.7 to 25.2%. Bean rust severity values ranged from 0.2 to 49.1% and all the infection types were identified, reflecting the diversity of resistance mechanisms deployed by the Portuguese germplasm.The associations with U. appendiculatus partial resistance were located in chromosome Pv08, and with incomplete hypersensitive resistance in chromosomes Pv06, Pv07, and Pv08, suggesting an oligogenic inheritance of both types of resistance. A resolution to the gene level was achieved for eight of the associations. The candidate genes proposed included several resistance-associated enzymes, namely β-amylase 7, acyl-CoA thioesterase, protein kinase, and aspartyl protease. Both SNPs and candidate genes here identified constitute promising genomics targets to develop functional molecular tools to support bean rust resistance precision breeding.

Plant cells sense fluctuations in the levels of cellular polyamines (PAs), namely, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm).PA cellular titer regulates biological processes, including senescence.Changes in PA concentration in properly functioning cells are unlikely.Induced senescence disturbs their homeostasis which leads to senescence-dependent metabolic changes.PA catabolism was proposed as process promoting mainly by H2O2 production.Here, we show that darkness-induced plant senescence is associated with changes in the PA levels together with the changes of signaling molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).Upon blocking Put catabolism, the senescing cells generated lesser amounts of NO and more of H2O2 and, in turn, accelerated senescence.We opine that a possible linkage exists between PAs and signaling molecules such as NO and H2O2.Thus, the balance in the triad network made of NO↔PA↔H2O2 signaling may be involved in re-programming metabolism and regulate the direction in which a plant may be ushered into -growth, senescence or cell death.

The olive value chain represents one of the most important bioeconomic sectors for Portugal, having this country the opportunity to emerge as the third-largest worldwide olive oil producer in the upcoming decade due to the modernization of its olive groves. Traditional rainfed production systems have been replaced by new intensive olive systems, with high-density, irrigated and mechanically harvested, which are leading to significant changes in the Portuguese olive sector. A very limited number of studies are available aiming at a deeper understanding of the consequences of these modifications, especially focused on the environmental dimension. Considering this gap of knowledge, this work aims the comparative analysis of the environmental impacts caused by three different Portuguese olive production systems: traditional rainfed (T), intensive (I) and super-intensive (SI) systems, during their entire life cycle in a reference period of 50 years, using a life cycle assessment methodology. The different agricultural practices used in the systems were grouped in six categories such as fertilization, harvesting, irrigation, phytosanitary control, pruning and soil management. Biomass valorization (resulting from pruning and plant removal) to produce electricity was assessed. Two strategies for dealing with multifunctionality in olive groves were analyzed: i) allocation based on economic criteria (market prices) and ii) substitution ("avoided burden approach") of biomass valorization. Seven impact categories were selected and 1 hectare (ha) of cultivated olive growing area was adopted as functional unit. Super-intensive production systems resulted in higher environmental impacts for all categories (from 2.1 to 135.6 times higher when comparing with traditional rainfed systems and 1.2 to 2.8 times higher when comparing with intensive systems) and fertilization was the agricultural practice with the highest contributions for the environmental impacts in most of the categories, in the three systems under study. The multifunctionality approaches adopted significantly influenced the results, minimizing the environmental impacts of the olive production systems. This work highlights the importance of optimize agricultural practices during the entire life cycle of an olive grove, proposing measures to overcome and minimize environmental impacts, and suggesting the valorization of traditional varieties (namely 'Galega vulgar') in intensive systems, as a way of combining better productivity with less environmental impacts.

Legume ScienceVolume 4, Issue 3 e134 EDITORIAL Aleksandar Mikić, the legume (re)searcher Margarita Vishnyakova, Margarita Vishnyakova orcid.org/0000-0003-2808-7745 Department of Grain Legumes Genetic Resources, Federal Research Center the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorAndrey Sinjushin, Andrey Sinjushin orcid.org/0000-0003-4008-9460 Department of Genetics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorBranko Ćupina, Branko Ćupina orcid.org/0000-0002-0965-2406 Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorDiego Rubiales, Diego Rubiales orcid.org/0000-0001-9644-8616 Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, CSIC, Cordoba, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorNoel Ellis, Noel Ellis orcid.org/0000-0001-6726-9950 John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UKSearch for more papers by this authorCarlota Vaz Patto, Carlota Vaz Patto orcid.org/0000-0002-8469-7508 Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorAleksadar Medović, Aleksadar Medović orcid.org/0000-0003-4912-7400 Department of Archaeology, Museum of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorLana Zorić, Lana Zorić orcid.org/0000-0002-4261-2844 Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorPetr Smýkal, Corresponding Author Petr Smýkal [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-6117-8510 Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Correspondence Petr Smýkal, Department of Botany, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Margarita Vishnyakova, Margarita Vishnyakova orcid.org/0000-0003-2808-7745 Department of Grain Legumes Genetic Resources, Federal Research Center the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorAndrey Sinjushin, Andrey Sinjushin orcid.org/0000-0003-4008-9460 Department of Genetics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorBranko Ćupina, Branko Ćupina orcid.org/0000-0002-0965-2406 Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorDiego Rubiales, Diego Rubiales orcid.org/0000-0001-9644-8616 Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, CSIC, Cordoba, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorNoel Ellis, Noel Ellis orcid.org/0000-0001-6726-9950 John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UKSearch for more papers by this authorCarlota Vaz Patto, Carlota Vaz Patto orcid.org/0000-0002-8469-7508 Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorAleksadar Medović, Aleksadar Medović orcid.org/0000-0003-4912-7400 Department of Archaeology, Museum of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorLana Zorić, Lana Zorić orcid.org/0000-0002-4261-2844 Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaSearch for more papers by this authorPetr Smýkal, Corresponding Author Petr Smýkal [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-6117-8510 Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Correspondence Petr Smýkal, Department of Botany, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 07 January 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.134Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat REFERENCES Akopian, J., Sarukhanyan, N., Gabrielyan, I., Vanyan, A., Mikić, A., Smýkal, P., Kenicer, G., Vishnyakova, M., Sinjushin, A., Demidenko, N., & Ambrose, M. (2010). Reports on establishing an ex situ site for ‘beautiful’ vavilovia (Vavilovia formosa) in Armenia. 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