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Summary Understanding isotope fractionation mechanisms is fundamental for analyses of plant ecophysiology and paleoclimate based on tree‐ring isotope data. To gain new insights into isotope fractionation, we analysed intramolecular 13C discrimination in tree‐ring glucose (Δi′, i = C‐1 to C‐6) and metabolic deuterium fractionation at H1 and H2 (εmet) combinedly. This dual‐isotope approach was used for isotope‐signal deconvolution. We found evidence for metabolic processes affecting Δ1′ and Δ3′, which respond to air vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and processes affecting Δ1′, Δ2′, and εmet, which respond to precipitation but not VPD. These relationships exhibit change points dividing a period of homeostasis (1961–1980) from a period of metabolic adjustment (1983–1995). Homeostasis may result from sufficient groundwater availability. Additionally, we found Δ5′ and Δ6′ relationships with radiation and temperature, which are temporally stable and consistent with previously proposed isotope fractionation mechanisms. Based on the multitude of climate covariables, intramolecular carbon isotope analysis has a remarkable potential for climate reconstruction. While isotope fractionation beyond leaves is currently considered to be constant, we propose significant parts of the carbon and hydrogen isotope variation in tree‐ring glucose originate in stems (precipitation‐dependent signals). As basis for follow‐up studies, we propose mechanisms introducing Δ1′, Δ2′, Δ3′, and εmet variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Diverse networks of specialized metabolites promote plant fitness by mediating beneficial and antagonistic environmental interactions. In maize (Zea mays), constitutive and dynamically formed cocktails of terpenoids, benzoxazinoids, oxylipins, and phenylpropanoids contribute to plant defense and ecological adaptation. Recent research has highlighted the multifunctional nature of many specialized metabolites, serving not only as elaborate chemical defenses that safeguard against biotic and abiotic stress but also as regulators in adaptive developmental processes and microbiome interactions. Great strides have also been made in identifying the modular pathway networks that drive maize chemical diversity. Translating this knowledge into strategies for enhancing stress resilience traits has the potential to address climate‐driven yield losses in one of the world's major food, feed, and bioenergy crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Experimental Botany has published guidelines for designing and interpreting drought experiments in controlled conditions. The guidelines aim to address flaws in research on drought tolerance and plant responses to water deficit, such as flawed experimental designs and inconsistent terminology. The recommendations include using precise terminology, accounting for genotype-environment interactions, considering whole-plant transpiration, and measuring soil and plant water status. The article discusses the challenges and pitfalls of designing and conducting plant stress experiments, specifically focusing on drought and heat stress. The authors emphasize the importance of considering factors such as spatial and temporal variations, feedback mechanisms, and the pot effect in experimental design. They recommend researchers to recognize and report the limitations of their experiments, assess complex environmental interactions, and account for genotype-by-environment interactions when interpreting data. The article also highlights the need for accurate measurement of plant stress levels and the selection of appropriate variables and time points for measurement. The authors aim to provide guidance for researchers in designing rigorous and reproducible stress experiments. [Extracted from the article]

This study examined how the nutrient flow environment affects lettuce root morphology in hydroponics using multi‐omics analysis. The results indicate that increasing the nutrient flow rate initially increased indicators such as fresh root weight, root length, surface area, volume, and average diameter before declining, which mirrors the trend observed for shoot fresh weight. Furthermore, a high‐flow environment significantly increased root tissue density. Further analysis using Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Weighted Protein Co‐expression Network Analysis (WPCNA) identified modules that were highly correlated with phenotypes and hormones. The analysis revealed a significant enrichment of hormone signal transduction pathways. Differences in the expression of genes and proteins related to hormone synthesis and transduction pathways were observed among the different flow conditions. These findings suggest that nutrient flow may regulate hormone levels and signal transmission by modulating the genes and proteins associated with hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, thereby influencing root morphology. These findings should support the development of effective methods for regulating the flow of nutrients in hydroponic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic plasticity is an important topic in biology and evolution. However, how to generate broadly applicable insights from individual studies remains a challenge. Here, with flowering time observed from a large geographical region for sorghum and rice genetic populations, we examine the consistency of parameter estimation for reaction norms of genotypes across different subsets of environments and searched for potential strategies to inform the study design. Both sample size and environmental mean range of the subset affected the consistency. The subset with either a large range of environmental mean or a large sample size resulted in genetic parameters consistent with the overall pattern. Furthermore, high accuracy through genomic prediction was obtained for reaction norm parameters of untested genotypes using models built from tested genotypes under the subsets of environments with either a large range or a large sample size. With 1428 and 1674 simulated settings, our analyses suggested that the distribution of environmental index values of a site should be considered in designing experiments. Overall, we showed that environmental context was critical, and considerations should be given to better cover the intended range of the environmental variable. Our findings have implications for the genetic architecture of complex traits, plant–environment interaction, and climate adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Induction of high photosynthetic capacity is a key acclimation response to high light (HL) for many herbaceous dicot plants; however, the signaling pathways that control this response remain largely unknown. Here, a systems biology approach was utilized to characterize the induction of high photosynthetic capacity in strongly and weakly acclimating Arabidopsis thaliana accessions.Plants were grown for 5 wk in a low light (LL) regime, and time‐resolved photosynthetic physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic responses were measured during subsequent exposure to HL.The induction of high nitrogen (N) assimilation rates early in the HL shift was strongly predictive of the induction of photosynthetic capacity later in the HL shift. Accelerated N assimilation rates depended on the mobilization of existing organic acid (OA) reserves and increased de novo OA synthesis during the induction of high photosynthetic capacity. Enhanced sucrose biosynthesis capacity increased in tandem with the induction of high photosynthetic capacity, and increased starch biosynthetic capacity was balanced by increased starch catabolism.This systems analysis supports a model in which the efficient induction of N assimilation early in the HL shift begins the cascade of events necessary for the induction of high photosynthetic capacity acclimation in HL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant noncoding RNA transcripts have gained increasing attention in recent years due to growing evidence that they can regulate developmental plasticity. In this review article, we comprehensively analyze the relationship between noncoding RNA transcripts in plants and their response to environmental cues. We first provide an overview of the various noncoding transcript types, including long and small RNAs, and how the environment modulates their performance. We then highlight the importance of noncoding RNA secondary structure for their molecular and biological functions. Finally, we discuss recent studies that have unveiled the functional significance of specific long noncoding transcripts and their molecular partners within ribonucleoprotein complexes during development and in response to biotic and abiotic stress. Overall, this review sheds light on the fascinating and complex relationship between dynamic noncoding transcription and plant environmental responses, and highlights the need for further research to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms and exploit the potential of noncoding transcripts for crop resilience in the context of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromeliaceae display many water-use strategies, from leaf impounding tanks to Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis and absorbing trichomes. Recent studies show that trichomes in inflorescences of bromeliads can exude viscous secretions, protecting against various stresses, including excessive water loss. In light of this, and considering the knowledge gap regarding inflorescence trichomes in bromeliads, we aimed to investigate the presence, source and chemical nature of inflorescence secretions in species of the Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) and to describe the anatomy of their floral bracts focusing on trichome structure and position. We conducted a prospection of secretory activity and anatomy in floral bracts in 52 species of Tillandsioideae and 1 early divergent Bromeliaceae species. We used histochemical tests to investigate the presence and nature of secretion combined with standard light microscopy methods. Secretion appears in all studied species of tribe Vrieseeae, in Guzmania species, Wallisia cyanea , Tillandsia streptopylla (Tillandsieae) and Catopsis morreniana (Catopsideae). It is absent in Vriesea guttata (Vrieseeae), Racinaea crispa and various Tillandsia species (Tillandsieae). Secretion is produced by peltate trichomes on the adaxial surface of young bracts and comprises hydrophilic and lipophilic substances. Bract anatomy revealed an internal mucilage-secreting tissue with wide distribution within the subtribe Vrieseinae. Our results point to a broad occurrence of secretion associated with bracteal scales in inflorescences of Tillandsioideae. Secretory function is strongly related to trichomes of the adaxial surface, whereas the indumentum of the abaxial side is lacking or likely associated with water absorption; the latter case is especially related to small, xeric plants. Exudates might engage in colleter-like roles, protecting against desiccation, high-radiation and herbivores. Directions for future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Editorial: Epigenetic and gene regulation underlying crosstalk in plant development and stress responses," explores the intricate interactions between plants and their environment. The research topic focuses on the epigenetic and gene regulation mechanisms that underlie plant development and stress responses. The article includes a data report and four original research articles that delve into the molecular genetics and epigenetic responses of plants to various environmental cues. The findings provide valuable insights into the molecular pathways governing plant development, stress tolerance, and flowering, offering potential advancements in crop production and breeding strategies. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in plant-environment interactions for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future. [Extracted from the article]

Photorespiration is a dynamic process that is intimately linked to photosynthetic carbon assimilation. There is a growing interest in understanding carbon assimilation during dynamic conditions, but the role of photorespiration under such conditions is unclear. In this review, we discuss recent work relevant to the function of photorespiration under dynamic conditions, with a special focus on light transients. This work reveals that photorespiration is a fundamental component of the light induction of assimilation where variable diffusive processes limit CO2 exchange with the atmosphere. Additionally, metabolic interactions between photorespiration and the C3 cycle may help balance fluxes under dynamic light conditions. We further discuss how the energy demands of photorespiration present special challenges to energy balancing during dynamic conditions. We finish the review with an overview of why regulation of photorespiration may be important under dynamic conditions to maintain appropriate fluxes through metabolic pathways related to photorespiration such as nitrogen and one-carbon metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GDSL-type esterase/lipase protein (GELP) genes are crucial in the specialized lipid metabolism, in the responses to abiotic stresses, and in the regulation of plant homeostasis. R. communis is an important oilseed crop species that can sustain growth and productivity when exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Herein, we raised the question of whether the GELP gene family could be involved in the acquisition of R. communis tolerance to abiotic stresses during seed germination and seedling establishment. Thus, we used bioinformatics and transcriptomics to characterize the R. communis GELP gene family. R. communis genome possesses 96 GELP genes that were characterized by extensive bioinformatics, including phylogenetic analysis, subcellular localization, exon-intron distribution, the analysis of regulatory cis-elements, tandem duplication, and physicochemical properties. Transcriptomics indicated that numerous RcGELP genes are readily responsive to high-temperature and salt stresses and might be potential candidates for genome editing techniques to develop abiotic stress-tolerant crops. • R. communis GELP gene family was characterized by bioinformatics and transcriptomics. • R. communis genome possesses 96 GELP genes (GDSL-like Lipase/Acylhydrolase domain). • The majority of RcGELP genes are responsive to high-temperature and/or salt stress. • GELP genes are potential candidates to address stress-related agronomic crop issues. • Introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Although many studies have tested the direct effects of drought on alien plant invasion, less is known about whether drought affects alien plant invasion indirectly via interactions of plants with other groups of organisms such as soil mesofauna. 2. To test for such indirect effects, we grew single plants of nine naturalized alien target species in pot mesocosms with a community of five native grassland species under four combinations of two drought (well-watered vs. drought) and two soil-mesofauna inoculation (with vs. without) treatments. 3. We found that drought decreased the absolute and the relative biomass production of the alien plants, and thus reduced their competitive strength in the native community. Drought also decreased the abundance of soil mesofauna, particularly soil mites, but did not affect the abundance and richness of soil herbivores. Soil-fauna inoculation did not affect the biomass of the alien plants but increased the biomass of the native plant community, and thereby decreased the relative biomass production of the alien plants. This increased invasion resistance due to soil fauna, however, tended (p = 0.09) to be stronger for plants growing under well-watered conditions than under drought. 4. Synthesis. Our multispecies experiment thus shows that soil fauna might help native communities to resist alien plant invasions, but that this effect might be weakened under drought. In other words, soil mesofauna may buffer the negative effects of drought on alien plant invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzoxazinoids are specialized metabolites that modulate plant physiology and plant interactions with their environment. In this review, we synthesize their multiple functions and ecological relevance. We first provide an overview of benzoxazinoid biosynthesis and highlight known regulatory elements involved in modulating their production. We then outline the role of benzoxazinoids in plant nutrition, vegetative and reproductive growth, and defense. We further summarize benzoxazinoid response to environmental factors such as temperature, drought, CO2, light, or nutrient levels and emphasize their potential role in tolerating abiotic stresses. Finally, we argue that benzoxazinoids act as a strong selective force on different trophic levels by shaping the plant interactions with microbes, insect herbivores, and competitor plants. Understanding the pivotal role of benzoxazinoids in plant biology is crucial to apprehend their impact on (agro)ecosystem functioning and diversity.

The need for improved crop water use efficiency calls for flexible modeling platforms to implement new ideas in plant root uptake and its regulation mechanisms. This paper documents the details of modifying a soil infiltration and redistribution model to include (a) dynamic root growth, (b) non-uniform root distribution and water uptake, (c) the effect of water stress on plant water uptake, and (d) soil evaporation. The paper also demonstrates strategies of using the modified model to simulate soil water dynamics and plant transpiration considering different sensitivity of plants to soil dryness and different mechanisms of root water uptake. In particular, the flexibility of simulating various degrees of compensated uptake (whereby plants tend to maintain potential transpiration under mild water stress) is emphasized. The paper also describes how to estimate unknown root distribution and rooting depth parameters by the use of a simulation-based searching method. The full documentation of the computer code will allow further applications and new development.

Summary: Although the above and belowground sizes and shapes of plants strongly influence plant competition, community structure, and plant–environment interactions, plant sizes and shapes remain poorly characterized across climate regimes. We investigated relationships among shoot and root system size and climate.We assembled and analyzed, to our knowledge, the largest global database describing the maximum rooting depth, lateral spread, and shoot size of terrestrial plants – more than doubling the Root Systems of Individual Plants database to 5647 observations.Water availability and growth form greatly influence shoot size, and rooting depth is primarily influenced by temperature seasonality. Shoot size is the strongest predictor of lateral spread, with root system diameter being two times wider than shoot width on average for woody plants.Shoot size covaries strongly with rooting system size; however, the geometries of plants differ considerably across climates, with woody plants in more arid climates having shorter shoots, but deeper, narrower root systems. Additionally, estimates of the depth and lateral spread of plant root systems are likely underestimated at the global scale. See also the Commentary on this article by Kattge, 235: 821–823. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil specialists can have restricted distributions, and effective management in the face of land use change depends on a thorough understanding of the ecology of these unique plants. We investigated the ecology of Eriogonum tiehmii Reveal, a rare soil specialist, using pitfall traps, flower observations, and pollinator exclusion to assess arthropod communities in E. tiehmii habitat, the most common visitors to E. tiehmii flowers, and the importance of pollination for seed set. We collected soil from 21 occupied and unoccupied sites for analysis of physical and chemical characteristics, and conducted a greenhouse soil preference experiment to test how seeds and seedlings respond to soil variation. We also monitored tagged plants in extant populations, measuring survival, size, and reproductive output. Arthropod communities within and around E. tiehmii sites were abundant and diverse; each sample site contained numerous unique species, and there was high turnover in arthropod community composition over time. Open pollination significantly increased seed production, with beetles, wasps, and flies the most likely important pollinators. Reproductive output and size class distributions varied among wild populations, and soil properties differed between occupied and unoccupied sites. Occupied sites were, on average, lower in sulfur, zinc, potassium, and magnesium and, on average higher in boron, pH, and silt, among other differences, though there was high variation in these characteristics among sites. Seedlings demonstrated sensitivity to individual soil properties, and seedlings grown in soils from occupied sites had, on average, higher total biomass and higher root allocation than seedlings grown in soils from unoccupied sites. These preference tests suggest a "specialist" model of soil specialization rather than a "refuge" model, indicating that plants are not simply highly stress‐tolerant, but are specifically adapted to their native soil types. While some unoccupied sites we tested were favorable for some life history stages, we did not identify unoccupied sites that could support both establishment and growth of E. tiehmii seedlings. Future work could consider the effects of biotic interactions such as plant competition and herbivores on plant growth, and employ additional demographic monitoring to better understand life history and population dynamics of this extreme soil specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nectar plays important roles in the relationship between plants and other organisms, both within pollination systems and as a defense mechanism. In the latter case, extranuptial nectaries (ENNs) usually attract patrolling arthropods that reduce herbivory. ENNs have been frequently reported within the "xeric clade" of Bromeliaceae, but their occurrence in other groups of bromeliads is largely unexplored, especially considering their position, secretory activity and structure. After observing the presence of ants constantly patrolling the inflorescences of Pitcairnia burchellii Mez, we searched for the presence, secretory activity, and structure of ENNs in this species. We also provide a brief review of the occurrence ENNs in Bromeliaceae. The distribution of nectaries was assessed using ant-exclusion experiments, while structural analysis was performed using standard methods for light and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of sugars in the secretion was assessed by thin-layer chromatography and glucose strip tests. Nectaries in P. burchelli are non-structured glands on the adaxial surface of floral bracts and sepals. Bracts and sepals are distinct spatial units that act over time in the same strategy of floral bud protection. Literature data reveals that ENNs might be more common within Bromeliaceae than previously considered, comprising a homoplastic feature in the family. Future perspectives and evolutionary and taxonomic implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Soil specialists can have restricted distributions, and effective management in the face of land use change depends on a thorough understanding of the ecology of these unique plants. We investigated the ecology of Eriogonum tiehmii Reveal, a rare soil specialist, using pitfall traps, flower observations, and pollinator exclusion to assess arthropod communities in E. tiehmii habitat, the most common visitors to E. tiehmii flowers, and the importance of pollination for seed set. We collected soil from 21 occupied and unoccupied sites for analysis of physical and chemical characteristics, and conducted a greenhouse soil preference experiment to test how seeds and seedlings respond to soil variation. We also monitored tagged plants in extant populations, measuring survival, size, and reproductive output. Arthropod communities within and around E. tiehmii sites were abundant and diverse; each sample site contained numerous unique species, and there was high turnover in arthropod community composition over time. Open pollination significantly increased seed production, with beetles, wasps, and flies the most likely important pollinators. Reproductive output and size class distributions varied among wild populations, and soil properties differed between occupied and unoccupied sites. Occupied sites were, on average, lower in sulfur, zinc, potassium, and magnesium and, on average higher in boron, pH, and silt, among other differences, though there was high variation in these characteristics among sites. Seedlings demonstrated sensitivity to individual soil properties, and seedlings grown in soils from occupied sites had, on average, higher total biomass and higher root allocation than seedlings grown in soils from unoccupied sites. These preference tests suggest a “specialist” model of soil specialization rather than a “refuge” model, indicating that plants are not simply highly stress‐tolerant, but are specifically adapted to their native soil types. While some unoccupied sites we tested were favorable for some life history stages, we did not identify unoccupied sites that could support both establishment and growth of E. tiehmii seedlings. Future work could consider the effects of biotic interactions such as plant competition and herbivores on plant growth, and employ additional demographic monitoring to better understand life history and population dynamics of this extreme soil specialist.

• We experimentally obtained max water storage for all aerial sunflower organs. • Leaf axils had 43 times more storage than leaf lamina; it was also high for capitula. • Leaf axils may have 20 times longer wetness than leaf lamina in the same environment. • Visible concavities play a key role in phytoelement maximum water storage. • Capitula peak in water storage during flowering and grain-filling. Vegetation wetness significantly alters the plant microclimate, thereby influencing plant functionality, growth, and yield. Prolonged wetness periods can exacerbate the risk of attack of various plant diseases. Maximum water storage capacity is a crucial parameter for modeling wetness duration, as it sets the upper limit for free water available for evaporation. This study aimed to achieve three main goals: (i) to investigate the maximum water storage capacity of distinct sunflower organs (leaves, stems, and capitula) and their constituent phytoelements, (ii) to establish relationships between maximum water storage and visible morphological characteristics, and (iii) to assess the impact of maximum water storage on phytoelement wetness duration. Morphological and micrometeorological measurements were conducted within a sunflower field plot. Maximum water storage capacity was determined in the laboratory using phytoelements collected from the field. For the capitula and its constituent phytoelements, this capacity was monitored throughout their development. Phytoelement size and orientation were quantified and correlated with their water storage capacity. The influence of phytoelement maximum water storage on wetness duration was investigated through simulation. Notably, we found that the maximum water storage capacity in leaf axils exceeded those in leaf lamina by 43 times. During the flowering and grain-filling stages, capitula exhibited greater water storage, primarily attributed to the contribution from the capitulum front. The area of leaves, stems, and capitula during the flowering stage had a greater impact on their maximum water storage capacity than their orientation. Simulation results revealed that certain phytoelements (e.g., leaf axils and capitulum disk) could remain wet for up to 20 h after most of the canopy, mainly leaves and stems, had dried. This study underscores the importance of examining variability in maximum water storage capacity and its impact on wetness duration within a sunflower canopy at the phytoelement level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GDSL esterases/lipases (GELPs), present throughout all living organisms, have been a very attractive research subject in plant science due mainly to constantly emerging properties and functions in plant growth and development under both normal and stressful conditions. This review summarizes the advances in research on plant GELPs in several model plants and crops, including Arabidopsis, rice, maize and tomato, while focusing on the roles of GELPs in regulating plant development and plant–environment interactions. In addition, the possible regulatory network and mechanisms of GELPs have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolichols (Dols), ubiquitous components of living organisms, are indispensable for cell survival. In plants, as well as other eukaryotes, Dols are crucial for post‐translational protein glycosylation, aberration of which leads to fatal metabolic disorders in humans and male sterility in plants. Until now, the mechanisms underlying Dol accumulation remain elusive. In this study, we have analysed the natural variation of the accumulation of Dols and six other isoprenoids among more than 120 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Subsequently, by combining QTL and GWAS approaches, we have identified several candidate genes involved in the accumulation of Dols, polyprenols, plastoquinone and phytosterols. The role of two genes implicated in the accumulation of major Dols in Arabidopsis—the AT2G17570 gene encoding a long searched for cis‐prenyltransferase (CPT3) and the AT1G52460 gene encoding an α/β‐hydrolase—is experimentally confirmed. These data will help to generate Dol‐enriched plants which might serve as a remedy for Dol‐deficiency in humans. Summary Statement: The accumulation of Dolichols in Arabidopsis is affected by the cis‐prenyltransferase 3 (CPT3) and an α/β‐hydrolase (ABH). Using QTL and GWAS approaches we have identified these two and several other candidate genes involved in the accumulation of Dols, polyprenols, plastoquinone and phytosterols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study represents an important contribution to the structural, histochemical and biological understanding of ducts and cavities in leaves of four species of Calophyllaceae that occur in Amazonian savannas.Samples of adult leaves were processed using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as per usual methods for plant anatomy.In paradermal sections, the lumina of ducts are elongated while those of cavities are short. Ducts occur exclusively in the central rib and are abundant in Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess and Kielmeyera coriacea Mart. and Zucc and larger than in Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess and Caraipa densifolia Mart. In mesophyll, the type of secretory structure and distribution pattern of the ducts and cavities are distinct. In most species, the secreted metabolites are similar and consist of phenolic compounds, lipids, essential oils with oleoresins, mucilage, neutral polysaccharides, proteins and alkaloids, except in K. coriacea, which does not contain oleoresin. The secretion is probably synthesized by mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes and dictyosomes and is externalized toward the lumen by granulocrine and eccrine processes.In addition to being of diagnostic value for species identification, the attributes of the lumen shape, type of secretory structure, distribution pattern, identified metabolites and secretion mechanism are important for understanding the biological roles of ducts and cavities. The identified metabolites reveal a capacity for adaptation, resistance and protection from the action of herbivores and pathogens, and in water retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The form and function of terrestrial plants is largely governed by the availability of water, with plants in water-limited environments expressing traits minimizing water loss and tissue damage during drought. Areas with high salinity are analogous to those with low water availability, even where water is abundant. We evaluated variation in salinity tolerance and water use strategies in an introduced halophytic shrub, Tamarix spp by measuring gas exchange rates, biomass accumulation and turgor loss points. We hypothesized that salinity tolerance is not uniformly expressed, with high salinity ecotypes expressing more conservative water use traits that maximize hydraulic safety over high conductance rates. 2. We studied two populations of Tamarix spp. along the lower Colorado River, where groundwater salinity differed by nearly sixfold. Cuttings collected from the sites were grown in a greenhouse with five salinity levels from 0 to 32 parts per thousand (ppt), imposing increasing water limitation. 3. In situ measurements of leaf water potentials (Ψ) and branch xylem anatomy were taken on ecotypes sourced from high- and low-salinity sites. In the greenhouse, biomass and gas exchange rates were evaluated over the 0-32 ppt salinity gradient, and a separate dry down experiment was performed to determine turgor loss points and stomatal responses to drying soils. 4. In the greenhouse, the low salinity population accumulated 72% more biomass when grown at 4 ppt compared to 16 ppt, while the high salinity population produced 50% more biomass when grown at 16 ppt. Net carbon assimilation was greater at lower salinities in the low salinity population but independent of salinity in the high salinity population. The high salinity population had a lower turgor loss point and exhibited greater stomatal control relative to the low salinity population. 5. Synthesis. Results provide evidence for divergence of traits related to plant water use across salinity gradients in this recently introduced halophyte. Local adaptation to increased salinity has implications in aridland riparian ecosystems, where water management or drought may lead to altered soil salinities. The interaction of trait variation within Tamarix spp. and increasing salinity is likely to favour its continued dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant-environment interactions is a multidisciplinary research field. With the emergence of quantitative large-scale and high-throughput techniques, amount and dimensionality of experimental data have strongly increased. Appropriate strategies for data storage, management, and evaluation are needed to make efficient use of experimental findings. Computational approaches of data mining are essential for deriving statistical trends and signatures contained in data matrices. Although, current biology is challenged by high data dimensionality in general, this is particularly true for plant biology. Plants as sessile organisms have to cope with environmental fluctuations. This typically results in strong dynamics of metabolite and protein concentrations which are often challenging to quantify. Summarizing experimental output results in complex data arrays, which need computational statistics and numerical methods for building quantitative models. Experimental findings need to be combined by computational models to gain a mechanistic understanding of plant metabolism. For this, bioinformatics and mathematics need to be combined with experimental setups in physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. This review presents and discusses concepts at the interface of experiment and computation, which are likely to shape current and future plant biology. Finally, this interface is discussed with regard to its capabilities and limitations to develop a quantitative model of plant-environment interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant-environment interactions is a multidisciplinary research field. With the emergence of quantitative large-scale and high-throughput techniques, amount and dimensionality of experimental data have strongly increased. Appropriate strategies for data storage, management, and evaluation are needed to make efficient use of experimental findings. Computational approaches of data mining are essential for deriving statistical trends and signatures contained in data matrices. Although, current biology is challenged by high data dimensionality in general, this is particularly true for plant biology. Plants as sessile organisms have to cope with environmental fluctuations. This typically results in strong dynamics of metabolite and protein concentrations which are often challenging to quantify. Summarizing experimental output results in complex data arrays, which need computational statistics and numerical methods for building quantitative models. Experimental findings need to be combined by computational models to gain a mechanistic understanding of plant metabolism. For this, bioinformatics and mathematics need to be combined with experimental setups in physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. This review presents and discusses concepts at the interface of experiment and computation, which are likely to shape current and future plant biology. Finally, this interface is discussed with regard to its capabilities and limitations to develop a quantitative model of plant-environment interactions.

Environment fluctuations can influence a plant's phytochemical profile via phenotypic plasticity. This adaptive response ensures a plant's survival under fluctuating growth conditions. However, the resulting plant extract composition becomes unpredictable, which is a problem for highly standardized medicinal applications. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of tracking the changes in the phytochemical profile based on real-time measurements of a few environment and extract-preparation variables. As a result, we predicted the chromatograms of Blumea balsamifera extracts through an imputation-augmented convolutional neural network, which uses the image-transformed temporal measurements of the variables. We developed a sensor network that collected data in a greenhouse and a training algorithm that concurrently generated a data representation of the implicit plant-environment interactions leading to the mutable chromatograms of leaf extracts. We anticipate the generic applicability of the method for any plant and recognize its potential for addressing the standardization problems in plant therapeutics.

Environment fluctuations can influence a plant's phytochemical profile via phenotypic plasticity. This adaptive response ensures a plant's survival under fluctuating growth conditions. However, the resulting plant extract composition becomes unpredictable, which is a problem for highly standardized medicinal applications. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of tracking the changes in the phytochemical profile based on real-time measurements of a few environment and extract-preparation variables. As a result, we predicted the chromatograms of Blumea balsamifera extracts through an imputation-augmented convolutional neural network, which uses the image-transformed temporal measurements of the variables. We developed a sensor network that collected data in a greenhouse and a training algorithm that concurrently generated a data representation of the implicit plant-environment interactions leading to the mutable chromatograms of leaf extracts. We anticipate the generic applicability of the method for any plant and recognize its potential for addressing the standardization problems in plant therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial light at night has rapidly increased during the last century, and could potentially affect many ecological processes, from individuals via communities to entire ecosystems. Recent research has shown that artificial light at night may not only affect the behaviour of animals but also growth of plants and vegetation composition. However, it is not known yet whether artificial light at night may also affect other global change components such as plant invasions.Here, we tested how naturalized alien plants respond to artificial light at night, and particularly whether widely naturalized species differ from less‐widely naturalized species in their response to artificial light at night. We grew nine taxonomically related pairs of widely naturalized and less‐widely naturalized species alone and in competition, with native plants with and without artificial light at night.We found that in the competition treatment, artificial light at night significantly increased the total biomass production per pot, but not the biomass ratio between the naturalized alien plants and the native competitors. Interestingly, although the less‐widely naturalized species produced overall significantly less biomass than the widely naturalized species, there was a trend that the less‐widely naturalized species increased their biomass more strongly in response to artificial light at night than the widely naturalized species did (p = 0.07).Synthesis. Our study shows that although widely naturalized plants produce more biomass than less‐widely naturalized plants across different environmental conditions, they took less advantage of artificial light at night. This suggests that artificial light at night might lead to increased spread of currently less‐widely naturalized species, at least when artificial light at night continues to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant leaf is the main site of photosynthesis. This process converts light energy and inorganic nutrients into chemical energy and organic building blocks for the biosynthesis and maintenance of cellular components and to support the growth of the rest of the plant. The leaf is also the site of gas–water exchange and due to its large surface, it is particularly vulnerable to pathogen attacks. Therefore, the leaf's performance and metabolic modes are inherently determined by its interaction with the environment. Mathematical models of plant metabolism have been successfully applied to study various aspects of photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen assimilation and metabolism, aided suggesting metabolic intervention strategies for optimized leaf performance, and gave us insights into evolutionary drivers of plant metabolism in various environments. With the increasing pressure to improve agricultural performance in current and future climates, these models have become important tools to improve our understanding of plant–environment interactions and to propel plant breeders efforts. This overview article reviews applications of large-scale metabolic models of leaf metabolism to study plant–environment interactions by means of flux-balance analysis. The presented studies are organized in two ways — by the way the environment interactions are modelled — via external constraints or data-integration and by the studied environmental interactions — abiotic or biotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GDSL esterases/lipases (GELPs), present throughout all living organisms, have been a very attractive research subject in plant science due mainly to constantly emerging properties and functions in plant growth and development under both normal and stressful conditions. This review summarizes the advances in research on plant GELPs in several model plants and crops, including Arabidopsis, rice, maize and tomato, while focusing on the roles of GELPs in regulating plant development and plant–environment interactions. In addition, the possible regulatory network and mechanisms of GELPs have been discussed.

Green plants provide the foundation for the structure, function, and interactions among organisms in both tropical and temperate zones. To date, many investigations have revealed patterns and mechanisms that generate plant diversity at various scales and fromdiverse ecological perspectives. However, in the era of climate change, anthropogenic disturbance, and rapid urbanization, new insights are needed to understand how plant species in these forest habitats are changing and adapting. Here, we recognize four themes that link studies from Asia and Europe presented in this Special Issue: (1) genetic analyses of diverse plant species; (2) above- and below-ground forest biodiversity; (3) trait expression and biological mechanisms; and (4) interactions of woody plants within a changing environment. These investigations enlarge our understanding of the origins of diversity, trait variation and heritability, and plant–environment interactions from diverse perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Martin's laboratory studies plant-environment interactions at the whole-plant, cellular and molecular levels focusing on the mechanisms by which plants respond to changes in their environment including drought, elevated carbon dioxide and ozone stress. Agricultural sustainability, drought, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), environmental stress, food security, ozone stress, plant stress, plant-environment interactions Keywords: agricultural sustainability; drought; elevated carbon dioxide (CO2); environmental stress; food security; ozone stress; plant stress; plant-environment interactions EN agricultural sustainability drought elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) environmental stress food security ozone stress plant stress plant-environment interactions 29 31 3 06/05/21 20210701 NES 210701 What inspired your interest in plant science?. [Extracted from the article]

Background Insect-proof nets are commonly used in crop production and scientific research because of their environmental, economic, and agronomic benefits. However, insect-proof nets can unintentionally alter the microclimate inside the screenhouse and therefore greatly affect plant growth and yield. To examine the microclimate and agronomic performance of pesticide-free rice under insect-proof nets, two-year field experiments were carried out in 2011 and 2012. Methods In the present study, the experiment was conducted by using a split-plot design considering the cultivation environment (open field cultivation (OFC) and insect-proof nets cultivation (IPNC)) as the main plot and the varieties as the subplot (Suxiangjing3 and Nanjing44). Results IPNC significantly reduced the air speed and solar radiation, and slightly increased the daytime soil temperature, daytime air temperature, and nighttime relative humidity. By contrast, the nighttime soil temperature, nighttime air temperature, and daytime relative humidity were relatively unaffected. The grain yield of both rice cultivars decreased significantly under IPNC, which was largely attributed to the reduced panicle number. The reduced panicle number was largely associated with the decreased maximum tiller number, which was positively correlated with the tillering rate, time of tillering onset, and tillering cessation for both rice cultivars under IPNC. In addition, dry matter accumulation significantly decreased for both rice cultivars under IPNC, which was mainly caused by the decreased leaf area duration resulting from the reduced leaf area index. By contrast, the mean net assimilation rate was relatively unaffected by IPNC. Discussion Insect-proof nets altered the microclimate in comparison with OFC by reducing the air speed and changing the radiation regime, which significantly affected dry matter production and yield of both japonica rice cultivars. Our results indicated that cultivation measures that could increase the tillering rate and the maximum tiller number under IPNC would lead to a significant increase in panicle number, ultimately increasing grain yield. In addition, maintaining a high leaf area duration by increasing the leaf area index would be important to compensate for the dry matter accumulation losses under IPNC. These findings are critical to provide a theoretical basis for improving agronomic performance of pesticide-free rice under IPNC.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) are key regulators of gene expression that play essential roles in diverse biological processes. Trans -acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs) are a class of plant-endogenous siRNAs that lead the cleavage of nonidentical transcripts. TasiRNAs are usually involved in fine-tuning development. However, increasing evidence supports that tasiRNAs may be involved in stress response. Melon is a crop of great economic importance extensively cultivated in semiarid regions frequently exposed to changing environmental conditions that limit its productivity. However, knowledge of the precise role of siRNAs in general, and of tasiRNAs in particular, in regulating the response to adverse environmental conditions is limited. Here, we provide the first comprehensive analysis of computationally inferred melon-tasiRNAs responsive to two biotic (viroid-infection) and abiotic (cold treatment) stress conditions. We identify two TAS3 -loci encoding to length (TAS3-L) and short (TAS3-S) transcripts. The TAS candidates predicted from small RNA-sequencing data were characterized according to their chromosome localization and expression pattern in response to stress. The functional activity of cmTAS genes was validated by transcript quantification and degradome assays of the tasiRNA precursors and their predicted targets. Finally, the functionality of a representative cmTAS3 -derived tasiRNA (TAS3-S) was confirmed by transient assays showing the cleavage of ARF target transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superoxide dismutases (SODs), as a family of metalloenzymes related to the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), have not previously been investigated at genome-wide level in tea plant. In this study, 10 CsSOD genes were identified in tea plant genome, including 7 Cu/Zn-SODs (CSDs), 2 Fe-SODs (FSDs) and one Mn-SOD (MSD), and phylogenetically classified in three subgroups, respectively. Physico-chemical characteristic, conserved motifs and potential protein interaction analyses about CsSOD proteins were carried out. Exon-intron structures and codon usage bias about CsSOD genes were also examined. Exon-intron structures analysis revealed that different CsSOD genes contained various number of introns. On the basis of the prediction of regulatory miRNAs of CsSODs, a modification 5' RNA ligase-mediated (RLM)-RACE was performed and validated that csn-miR398a-3p-1 directly cleaves CsCSD4. By prediction of cis-acting elements, the expression patterns of 10 CsSOD genes and their regulatory miRNAs were detected under cold, drought, exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and gibberellin (GA3) treatments. The results showed that most of CsSODs except for CsFSD2 were induced under cold stress and CsCSDs may play primary roles under drought stress; exogenous GA3 and MeJA could also stimulated/inhibited distinct CsSODs at different stages. In addition, we found that csn-miR398a-3p-1 negatively regulated the expression of CsCSD4 may be a crucial regulatory mechanism under cold stress. This study provides a certain basis for the studies about stress resistance in tea plants, even provide insight into comprehending the classification, evolution, diverse functions and influencing factors of expression patterns for CsSOD genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crop suppression with glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) represents a common agricultural practice. The objective of this study was to compare rhizospheric microbial communities of A. sativa plants treated with a GBH relative to the mechanical suppression (mowing) in order to assess their differences and the potential implications for soil processes. Samples were obtained at 4, 10, 17 and 26 days post-suppression. Soil catabolic profiling and DNA-based methods were applied. At 26 days, higher respiration responses and functional diversity indices (Shannon index and catabolic evenness) were observed under glyphosate suppression and a neat separation of catabolic profiles was detected in multivariate analysis. Sarcosine and Tween 20 showed the highest contribution to this separation. Metabarcoding revealed a non-significant effect of suppression method on either alpha-diversity metrics or beta-diversity. Conversely, differences were detected in the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa. Mesorhizobium sequences were detected in higher relative abundance in glyphosate-treated plants at the end of the experiment while the opposite trend was observed for Gaiella. Quantitative PCR of amoA gene from ammonia-oxidizing archaea showed a lower abundance under GBH suppression again at 26 days, while ammonia-oxidizing bacteria remained lower at all sampling times. Broad host range plasmids IncP-1β and IncP-1ε were exclusively detected in the rhizosphere of glyphosate-treated plants at 10 days and at 26 days, respectively. Overall, our study demonstrates differential effects of suppression methods on the abundance of specific bacterial taxa, on the physiology and mobile genetic elements of microbial communities while no differences were detected in taxonomic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation through the activity of cytosine-5-methyltransferases (C5-MTases) and DNA demethylases plays important roles in genome protection as well as in regulating gene expression during plant development and plant response to environmental stresses. In this study, we report on a genome-wide identification of six C5-MTases (SmelMET1, SmelCMT2, SmelCMT3a, SmelCMT3b, SmelDRM2, SmelDRM3) and five demethylases (SmelDemethylase_1, SmelDemethylase_2, SmelDemethylase_3, SmelDemethylase_4, SmelDemethylase_5) in eggplant. Gene structural characteristics, chromosomal localization and phylogenetic analyses are also described. The transcript profiling of both C5-MTases and demethylases was assessed at three stages of fruit development in three eggplant commercial F1 hybrids: i.e. ‘Clara’, ‘Nite Lady’ and ‘Bella Roma’, representative of the eggplant berry phenotypic variation. The trend of activation of C5-MTases and demethylase genes varied in function of the stage of fruit development and was genotype dependent. The transcription pattern of C5MTAses and demethylases was also assessed in leaves of the F1 hybrid ‘Nite Lady’ subjected to salt and drought stresses. A marked up-regulation and down-regulation of some C5-MTases and demethylases was detected, while others did not vary in their expression profile. Our results suggest a role for both C5-MTases and demethylases during fruit development, as well as in response to abiotic stresses in eggplant, and provide a starting framework for supporting future epigenetic studies in the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas putida is one of 13 major groups of Pseudomonas spp. and contains numerous species occupying diverse niches and performing many functions such as plant growth promotion and bioremediation. Here we compared a set of 19 P. putida isolates obtained from sugarcane rhizosphere or bulk soil using a population genomics approach aiming to assess genomic and metabolic differences between populations from these habitats. Phylogenomics placed rhizosphere versus bulk soil strains in separate clades clustering with different type strains of the P. putida group. Multivariate analyses indicated that the rhizosphere and bulk soil isolates form distinct populations. Comparative genomics identified several genetic functions (GO-terms) significantly different between populations, including some exclusively present in the rhizosphere or bulk soil strains, such as D-galactonic acid catabolism and cellulose biosynthesis, respectively. The metabolic profiles of rhizosphere and bulk soil populations analyzed by Biolog Ecoplates also differ significantly, most notably by the higher oxidation of D-galactonic/D-galacturonic acid by the rhizosphere population. Accordingly, D-galactonate catabolism operon (dgo) was present in all rhizosphere isolates and absent in the bulk soil population. This study showed that sugarcane rhizosphere and bulk soil harbor different populations of P. putida and identified genes and functions potentially associated with their soil niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to explore the potential influences of pickleweed vegetation on the abundance, diversity and metabolic activities of microbial communities in four distinct areas of a petroleum-contaminated solid waste management unit (SWMU) located in Contra Costa County, northern California. The four areas sampled include two central areas, one of which is central vegetated (CV) and one unvegetated (UV), and two peripheral vegetated areas, one of which is located to the west side of the SWMU (V-West) and one located to the east side (V-East). Measurements were made of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), soil physicochemical properties, and various aspects of microbial communities including metabolic activities, microbial abundances (PLFAs), diversity and composition based on amplicon sequencing. The peripheral V-East and V-West sites had 10-times lower electrical conductivity (EC) than that of the CV and UV sites. The high salinity levels of the CV and UV sites were associated with significant reductions in bacterial and fungal abundances (PLFA) when compared to V-East but not when compared to V-West. TPH levels of CV and UV were not significantly different from those of V-West but were substantially lower than V-East TPH (19,311 mg/kg of dry soil), the high value of which may have been associated with a pipeline that ran through the area. Microbial activities (in terms of soil respiration and the activities of three soil enzymes, i.e., urease, lipase, and phosphatase) were greatest in the vegetated sites compared to the UV site. The prokaryotic community was not diverse as revealed by the Shannon index with no significant variation among the four groups of samples. However, the fungal community of the peripheral sites, V-East and V-West had significantly higher OTU richness and Shannon index. Structure of prokaryotic communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of pickleweed plants at the three sites differed significantly and were also different from those found in the UV region of the central site according to pairwise, global PERMANOVA and ANOSIM analyses. The differences in OTU-based rhizosphere-associated bacterial and fungal communities’ composition were explained mainly by the changes in soil EC and pH. The results suggest that saline TPH-contaminated areas that are vegetated with pickleweed are likely to have increased abundances, diversity and metabolic activities in the rhizosphere compared to unvegetated areas, even in the presence of high salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is a major threat to crop production worldwide. The global climate change is further accelerating the process of soil salinization, particularly in dry areas of the world. Increasing genetic variability of currently used wheat varieties by introgression of exotic alleles/genes from related progenitors’ species in breeding programs is an efficient approach to overcome limitations due to the absence of valuable genetic diversity in elite cultivars. Synthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW) is widely regarded as donor of favourable exotic alleles to improve tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses such as salinity stress. In this study, synthetic backcross lines (SBLs) winter wheat population “Z86”, derived from crosses involving synthetic hexaploid wheat Syn86L with German elite winter wheat cultivar Zentos, was evaluated for salinity tolerance at different developmental stages under controlled and field conditions in three growing seasons. High genetic variability was detected across the SBLs and their parents at various growth stages under controlled as well as under salt stress field trials. Greater performance of Zentos over Syn86L was detected at germination stage across all salt treatments and with respect to shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) at seedling stage. Whereas for the root length (RL) and the shoot length (SL) Syn86L surpassed the elite cultivar and most of the progenies. Our experiments revealed for almost all traits that some genotypes among the SBLs showed higher performance than their parents. Furthermore, positive transgressive segregations were detected among the SBLs for germination at high salinity levels, as well as for RDW and SDW at seedling stage. Therefore, the studied Z86 population is a suitable population for assessment of salinity stress on morphological and physiological traits at different plant growth stages. The identified SBLs provide a valuable source for genetic gain through recombination of superior alleles that can be directly applied in breeding programs for efficiently breeding cultivars with improved salinity tolerance and desired agronomic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes methodology for evaluating the accuracy of the pore pressure generation model devised by Byrne, as implemented in a commercial software program using a Mohr-Coulomb-type failure criterion and a Finn constitutive model. The different empirical formulas of liquefaction developed by Seed and Idriss are reviewed, as well as various constitutive models specified in the literature, emphasizing the selection of the Finn model for the liquefaction study. In the analysis a comparison is carried out using the factors of safety against liquefaction (FSLs) devised by Seed and Idriss and the adapted formula by Boulanger and Idriss. The analysis assumes a hypothesis to verify whether a soil element is liquefied. The results are then compared with those of a numerical model that simulates a soil column, the base of which is subjected to the same seismic inputs of varying magnitudes, Mw, and peak ground accelerations, Pga, to which the empirical model was subjected. Adjusted equations are provided on the based on that comparison to allow for the calibration of the Byrne equation using the (N1)60 value obtained via a standard penetration test (SPT), for the study of liquefaction problems in situations in which there are earthquakes of varying magnitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, gains in sweet corn [Zea mays L.var. rugosa (or saccharata)] are a fraction of the yield advances made in field corn (Zea mays L.) in the last half-century. Grain yield improvement of field corn is associated with increased tolerance to higher plant densities (i.e., crowding stress). Processing sweet corn hybrids that tolerate crowding stress have been identified; however, such hybrids appear to be under-planted in the processing sweet corn. Using crowding stress tolerant (CST) hybrids, the objectives of this study were to: (1) identify optimum plant densities for a range of growing conditions; (2) quantify gaps in production between current and optimum plant densities; and (3) enumerate changes in yield and ear traits when shifting from current to optimum plant densities. Using a CST shrunken-2 (sh2) processing sweet corn hybrid, on-farm plant density trials were conducted in thirty fields across the states of Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, from 2013 to 2017 in order to capture a wide variety of growing conditions. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify the optimum plant density corresponding to maximum ear mass (Mt ha-1), case production (cases ha-1), and profitability to the processor ($ ha-1). Kernel moisture, indicative of plant development, was unaffected by plant density. Ear traits, such as ear number and ear mass per plant, average ear length, and filled ear length declined linearly with increasing plant density. Nonetheless, there was a large economic benefit to the grower and processor by shifting to higher plant densities in most environments. This research shows that increasing plant densities of CST hybrids from current (58,475 plants ha-1) to optimum (73,075 plants ha-1) could improve processing sweet corn green ear yield and processor profitability on average of 1.13 Mt ha-1 and $525 ha-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]