The SCR/SHR-CYCD6;1 module is essential for root ground tissue maturation. This study reveals that NAC1 restricts excessive periclinal cell divisions in root endodermis to control ground tissue maturation. Mechanistically, NAC1 interacts with TOPLESS and fine-tunes the expression of CYCD6;1 through coordination with SCR and SHR.

To solve the long-suffered hybrid sterility in inter-subspecific hybrid rice, the authors performed a genome design and determined that four loci, S5, f5, pf12 and Sc, are the minimal targets for overcoming inter-subspecific hybrid sterility. The pf12 gene was cloned and its artificial neutral alleles at this locus that can rescue hybrid fertility were created. Naturally compatible alleles of…

In this study, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was engineered into viral vectors for safe, effective, and DNA-free delivery of large CRISPR/Cas enzymes in multiple crop species/genotypes. Virus-free plants with heritable mutations were regenerated with high efficiency from infected somatic tissues upon antiviral treatment. The TSWV-based delivery system is promising to overcome gene delivery…

Modern semi-dwarf rice varieties depend on a high nitrogen fertilizer supply to achieve high yields. A better understanding of nitrogen metabolic processes that respond to nitrogen supply is essential for improving nitrogen-use efficiency. This study reveals a novel mechanism underlying strigolactone and gibberellin crosstalk in metabolic adaptations to changes in nitrogen availability, which…

Alkali stress is one of major constraints for crop production, but little is known about the mechanisms through which wheat responds to alkali stress. This study uncovers that two D-clade type 2C protein phosphatases, TaPP2C.D1/8, negatively modulate alkali stress tolerance by dephosphorylating Thr926 of TaHA2 and thereby inhibiting plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. The calcium-binding protein…