🎃 The Week in Botany October 30, 2023

I’ll start by mentioning a webinar that’s on tomorrow, Plantae Presents: Importance of Self-care and Community Care. It’s happening at 08:00 AM PDT, 11:00 AM EDT, 3:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM Beijing.

I saw a lot of Musk-anniversary articles for Twitter this week. It’s reminded me that I still don’t have a solid back-up for sourcing material, should Twitter disappear in a few months, so I might be running a few more experiments in November.

Also on my to-do list is improve how I work with Threads. The way it works is a bit of a chore, but usage has been picking up, so it might be that it’s finally starting to engage people. You can follow Botany One there @botanyone_en.

There’ll be another email with you at the same time next week. Until then, take care.

Alun (webmaster@botany.one)

On Botany One

Are Giant Tomatoes the Future of Climate-Resilient Crops?
Researchers in Brazil found a special part of tomato genome that controls the size of not just the fruit but also the leaves and stems. This discovery could help make tomato crops more resilient to different environments.

Unlocking the Tiny Secrets to Grow the World’s Largest Flowers
Since germinating Rafflesia seeds has brought so many headaches, Dr Jeanmarie Molina and her team have analysed the genes expressed on its seeds to draw up a roadmap for their propagation and conservation.

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News & Views

Flowers in full bloom at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Orchid Show
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens annual Orchid Show brought in thousands of people.

Back on the menu? Europeans once ate seaweed, research shows
Europeans now rarely eat seaweed, but it was an important part of their diet until the late Middle Ages, archaeologists said Tuesday, calling for the eco-friendly aquatic plant to be put back on the menu.

Sydney turns over a new leaf and says goodbye to much-maligned plane trees
Trees once described as ‘about as much use to our wildlife as concrete posts’ to gradually be phased out in favour of more drought-tolerant plants.

The glory of Tuscany’s trees
Italy’s columnar cypresses and cork oaks are not just beautiful — they are full of cultural resonance.

Along a path less traveled at the Chicago Botanic Garden, plants are being evaluated on beauty and brawn
The dull visual of a long road is interrupted by a gravel footpath that winds back and forth across the pavement, tiny rocks turning to bricks when the path crosses the asphalt. But the eye is drawn to something else: not the trail, but the greenery growing on its fringes.

Look for these wild plants that eat bugs
Sundews and pitcher plants are found in bogs across Massachusetts.

Falling behind: postdocs in their thirties tire of putting life on hold
Temporary contracts, low salaries and cost-of-living hikes force many researchers to put off parenthood and other big decisions.

Q&A: Enrico Coen
Enrico Coen did a PhD in genetics with Gabriel Dover at the University of Cambridge, UK. After a one-year postdoc at the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, he then took up a research group leader position at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK.

The plant poisons that shape our daily lives
An exploration of nature’s toxins reveals complex relationships between humans and the plant chemicals we use as foods, medicines and mind-altering drugs.

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Scientific Papers

Plasmodesmal connectivity in C₄ Gynandropsis gynandra is induced by light and dependent on photosynthesis (OA)
In leaves of C₄ plants, the reactions of photosynthesis become restricted between two compartments. Typically, this allows accumulation of C₄ acids in mesophyll (M) cells and subsequent decarboxylation in the bundle sheath (BS). In C₄ grasses, proliferation of plasmodesmata between these cell types is thought to increase cell-to-cell connectivity to allow efficient metabolite movement. However, it is not known whether C₄ dicotyledons also show this enhanced plasmodesmal connectivity and so whether this is a general requirement for C₄ photosynthesis is not clear. How M and BS cells in C₄ leaves become highly connected is also not known.

Double CRISPR knockout of pectin degrading enzymes improves tomato shelf-life while ensuring fruit quality (OA)
Tomato fruit is an important and popular commodity producing $95.62 billion worldwide. Tomato fruit losses in the supply chain vary between 25% and 42% depending on the production area and the availability of postharvest technologies. For many decades, conventional tomato breeding programs have focused on extending the shelf-life of fresh-market varieties. However, in many instances, consumer-based quality traits were not considered a priority. Consumers are now demanding safe, nutrient-rich, high-flavor, and convenient fruit. Ortega-Salazar et al. demonstrate the use of gene editing to improve fruit shelf-life and positively impact quality, which can help significantly reduce tomato fruit losses and meet consumer expectations.

Panax siamensis J. Wen, a new species of the ginseng genus (Panax, Araliaceae) from northern Thailand (OA)
Wen et al. describe a new species, Panax siamensis J. Wen, from the tropical monsoon forests in northern Thailand. Panax siamensis is characterized by a combination of characters including horizontally elongated rhizomes with thick internodes, 3–5 whorled leaves each with 7–9 sessile and lanceolate leaflets, lanceolate bracteoles not persisting at the fruiting stage, 2-locular ovaries, and red fruits with a black top.

Conflicts in natural selection constrain adaptation to climate change in Arabidopsis thaliana (OA)
Ruffley et al. found a natural selection conflict in drought environments as two drought-adaptive strategies, escape and avoidance, are mutually exclusive in A. thaliana. Traits underlying such strategies, such as flowering time, growth rate, and water use efficiency, are genetically correlated, and they identify novel loci involved in such correlation experiencing antagonistic natural selection.

♻ Fusarium graminearum Species Complex: A Bibliographic Analysis and Web-Accessible Database for Global Mapping of Species and Trichothecene Toxin Chemotypes (OA)
Fusarium graminearum is ranked among the five most destructive fungal pathogens that affect agroecosystems. It causes floral diseases in small grain cereals including wheat, barley, and oats, as well as maize and rice. Del Ponte et al. conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies reporting species within the F. graminearum species complex (FGSC) and created two main data tables.

Antagonistic RALF peptides control an intergeneric hybridization barrier on Brassicaceae stigmas (OA)
Pollen-pistil interactions establish interspecific/intergeneric pre-zygotic hybridization barriers in plants. The rejection of undesired pollen at the stigma is crucial to avoid outcrossing but can be overcome with the support of mentor pollen. The mechanisms underlying this hybridization barrier are largely unknown. Lan et al. demonstrate, in Arabidopsis, that receptor-like kinases FERONIA/CURVY1/ANJEA/HERCULES RECEPTOR KINASE 1 and cell wall proteins LRX3/4/5 interact on papilla cell surfaces with autocrine stigmatic RALF1/22/23/33 peptide ligands (sRALFs) to establish a lock that blocks the penetration of undesired pollen tubes.

A dirigent protein complex directs lignin polymerization and assembly of the root diffusion barrier ($)
Plant roots contain a lignin-based diffusion barrier called the Casparian strip that controls nutrient balance. Gao et al. found that a family of dirigent proteins controls the synthesis of lignin at the Casparian strip.

At the root of plant symbioses: Untangling the genetic mechanisms behind mutualistic associations ($)
New discoveries on mutualistic symbioses evolution and the interaction between partners will be key steps to enhance plant potential.

New molecular components that regulates the transcriptional hub in root hairs: coupling environmental signals to endogenous hormones to coordinate growth ($)
discuss recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana root hairs in the interface between responses to environmental cues (e.g. nutrients such as nitrates, phosphate and microorganism) and hormonal stimuli (e.g. auxin).

Global shortfalls in threat assessments for endemic flora by country (OA)
Gallagher et al. assessed the completeness of threat assessments for endemic flora in 179 countries or their close equivalents.

Estimating leaf day respiration from conventional gas exchange measurements (OA)
Leaf day respiration (R_d) strongly influences carbon-use efficiencies of whole plants and the global terrestrial biosphere. It has long been thought that R_d is slower than respiration in the dark at a given temperature, but measuring R_d by gas exchange remains a challenge because leaves in the light are also photosynthesizing.

SiHDA9 interacts with SiHAT3.1 and SiHDA19 to repress dehydration responses through H3K9 deacetylation in foxtail millet ($)
In this study, genome-wide H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) enrichment using ChIP-seq was performed in two foxtail millet cultivars contrastingly differing in dehydration tolerance (IC403579; cv. IC4 – tolerant, and IC480117; cv. IC41 – sensitive). It revealed that a histone deacetylase, SiHDA9, was significantly up-regulated in the sensitive cultivar.
biorXiv: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.16.528817

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Careers

USDA-ARS SCINet Postdoctoral Fellowship in AI-driven Phenotype Extraction from UAS Imagery, Missouri
Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will develop tools and methods for the automated analysis and interpretation of image and other sensor data from Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) and other remote sensing devices. The fellow will focus on the extraction of plot and plant level phenotype data from agricultural trials. Current methods require extensive manual input and tuning and are not flexible across diverse crop materials. The fellow will use machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and/or other suitable methods to improve the quality and automation of current methods and to develop new and better methods. The fellow's research project will focus on images obtained from corn fields but the research will have applications for other crops as well.

PhD student: Characterization of novel interactors of the stress hormones jasmonic and abscisic acid, Ghent
The group of Specialized Metabolism (https://www.psb.ugent.be/groups/specialized-metabolism), led by Prof. Alain Goossens at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, is looking to recruit 1 PhD student. The Goossens lab focuses on the characterization of plant signaling networks that steer plant specialized metabolism within tightly regulated fitness programs, in particular those modulated by the phytohormone jasmonate.

Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology, South Carolina
Limestone University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology on our main campus in Gaffney, SC. The primary teaching responsibilities are expected to include in-person lecture & lab sections of courses including the second semester of a two-semester introductory biology series, focusing on organisms, ecology, & evolution; as well as upper-level courses in Ecology, Zoology, Botany; and other courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. Application review will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Two Assistant Professor Positions in Plant Biology, Indiana
Two academic-year tenure-track assistant professor positions in Plant Biology are available at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. We invite applications from outstanding basic or translational scientists interested in contributing to the advancement of fundamental or applied plant biology research. Individuals who study biochemical processes in plants, particularly those who are using computational tools in their research, are encouraged to apply. Exceptional candidates working in non-plant systems but with an interest in collaborating with the broader plant community will also be considered. A successful applicant with these interests will be offered a position in the Department of Biochemistry.

Post-Doc Positions in Ecology, Evolution and Statistical Analysis of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Helsinki
The Research Group of Prof. Anna-Liisa Laine seeks three post doctoral researchers for an ERC funded Advanced Grant project “Coevolutionary consequences of biodiversity change; Co-EvoChange”. The main aim of the project is to uncover how human-imposed disturbance in plant communities affects the ecology and evolution of plant-microbe interactions both above- and below ground, and how these changes scale up to ecosystem processes.

Research Fellow in Crop and Weed Ecology / Plant Sciences, London
An opportunity has arisen for a scientist with a background in crop or plant sciences and having relevant experience and vision to work with a small team of natural scientists to deliver research in the area of agronomy, weed science, parasitic plants, soil biology, crop protection. This person will assist NRI in collaborations with national and international organisations to improve food security through better crop management strategies. More specifically, the person will take part in a 2^nd phase research project (Promoting Root Microbes for Integrated Striga Eradication -PROMISE), funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Curator in Vascular Plants, Helsinki
We are seeking a plant systematist/taxonomist/conservation biologist who will conduct high quality collection-based research on vascular plants. A successful candidate is familiar with key scientific methodologies and herbarium techniques and may be able to conduct independent research. 

Director of Learning & Engagement, Edinburgh
Following a recent restructure, we are now looking to recruit into an exciting new role leading our new Learning and Engagement division to enrich and empower communities through:

• Training, upskilling and empowering learners and professionals of all ages, ranging from building global capacity in plant biodiversity science, conservation, and horticulture to informal recreational courses.

• Leveraging the use of online learning, social media platforms and mobile applications to support environmental education and public engagement.

• Maximising access across the four gardens and providing high quality interpretation.

• Inspiring communities to celebrate, protect and enjoy the natural capital of Scotland and to maximise health and wellbeing.

• Using all our resources and programme, from science and horticulture to the arts, to enhance public understanding of plants fungi and environmental sustainability while contributing to Scotland’s economy through being a major international tourist destination.

Professor of Life Science, Birmingham
This is an opportunity to join the College of Life Sciences as Professor of Life Science. The College sits in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences and further information can be found below.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Exeter
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Prof. Daniel Bebber. This Horizon Europe funded post is available from 1 April 2024. The successful applicant will conduct data analysis and mathematical modelling of plant parasitic nematode distributions in Europe, working closely with colleagues in the NEM-EMERGE project consortium. The postholder will be responsible for data integration and species distribution model development within Work Package 1 of NEM-EMERGE, and dissemination of results via scientific publications, conference papers and policy papers.

Cell Systems Specialist, Norwich
We are in search of a talented and highly motivated individual to establish and lead a Cell Systems research and support team at TSL, aiming to further enhance the Laboratory's reputation as a global leader in cutting-edge research. This position encompasses diverse areas such as cell-based assay development, protoplast-based analyses, and high-throughput functional studies. While the core focus will be on plant cells, experience with fungal, insect, and animal cell systems is advantageous. The selected candidate will actively collaborate with TSL Group Leaders and external partners while contributing to independent research initiatives and grant proposal preparation within the TSL Science portfolio. Applicants with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply.