This week was a migraine week, which was a pity as I missed the calls for the Stand Up for Science rallies. If you’re attending more rallies, Andrew Thaler recommends contacting your local papernot give interviews about why you’re out there. Razor adds that taking photos, B-roll video and being available to talk on the phone is critical. You’ll find coverage is a lot more likely if you make reporters’ lives as easy as possible. Photos, videos, quotes, infographics anything that makes it look like the reporter has done a lot of work when he takes from you. The Botanical Society of America would also like to see your photos.
Finally, if you are pitching protests as a story, remember you’re not the most important person in the story. It might feel that way as you’re the person losing funding, but the most important person is the person you want reading the story. The protests aren’t just about you, they’re about what your community loses. For example, farmers face an uncertain future following cuts into pathogen research. It’s not enough the cuts are bad, people need to care that the cuts are bad.
There will be another email of the papers you’re sharing on Mastodon, Bluesky, and Twitter. Until next time, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
Bees avoid wildflowers experiencing drought
New research reveals drought-stressed wildflowers produce smaller flowers with less nectar, causing bees to avoid them.
How One Tool Helps Different Fungi Hijack Plant Signalling
Scientists discover fungi use a universal “hacking tool” to trick plants into starvation mode, disabling their immune defences and causing devastating crop diseases worldwide.
Does Bamboo Interfere with Panda Brains to Get Eaten?
Scientists discovered that bamboo plants may actively influence pandas’ brains and biology through tiny RNA molecules that enter their bloodstream.
Mapping Hope for Nearly Lost Plant Species
Research identifies plants on the edge of extinction.
Kew Gardens to open ‘groundbreaking’ new garden this summer inspired by climate crisis
Carbon Garden will show how carbon helps to sustain life on Earth
DOGE Terminates Tree-Planting Grant for Low-Income Communities
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has terminated the U.S. Forest Service’s $75 million grant awarded to a foundation that helps low-income communities plant trees.
Plant diverse tree species to spread risk in climate crisis, study says
Uncertainty over climate and economy means ‘investment portfolio’ approach needed, researchers say.
‘Scientists will not be silenced’: thousands protest Trump research cuts
Researchers at Stand Up for Science rallies voice defiance against the policies of US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Gertrude Jekyll’s garden designs unearthed
The plans for Warren Hurst in Ashtead, which have been donated to the Surrey History Centre in Woking, were thought to be lost, but have been discovered in a book about the famous garden designer.
Plants in Mesoamerican cloud forests climb mountains to escape climate change
A study reveals that species have moved to higher altitudes, at an average rate of between 1.8 and 2.7 meters per year since 1979.
Moss and lichen: A deep dive into cryptogams
Nigel Chaffey reviews Moss and Lichenby Elizabeth Lawson.
Jurassic-era trees have grown in Tasmania for millions of years. Now they face their biggest threat: fire
Pencil pines grow for more than a thousand years each, and only in Tasmania. As lightning fires become more common, humans must mobilise to protect them – or lose these ancients forever.
Three AI-powered steps to faster, smarter peer reviewNote ‘popular’ in this case means shared a lot, not that it’s gone down well with people. The journals I’m familiar with are emphatically against AI ‘peer’ review.
The BiPS Summer Studentship aims to encourage students to consider a career in plant sciences by providing funding to support paid summer placements for Black undergraduate students.
These Studentships will address the lack of Black and Black heritage researchers in the UK plant science community.
Devastating impact of the seed-feeding fly Japanagromyza tokunagai on the endangered orchid Cephalanthera falcata($)
Suetsugu et al evaluated the impact of the seed-parasitic fly Japanagromyza tokunagai on the seed production of the endangered orchid Cephalanthera falcata, based on observations from five locations over one year and from a single location over four years in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Their findings showed that J. tokunagai caused 100% capsule damage across all sites and years examined.
Read free via ReadCube at https://rdcu.be/ecNwz
Canopy functional trait variation across Earth’s tropical forests (FREE)
Combining field-collected data from more than 1,800 vegetation plots and tree traits with satellite remote-sensing, terrain, climate and soil data, Aguirre-Gutiérrez et al predict variation across 13 morphological, structural and chemical functional traits of trees, and use this to compute and map the functional diversity of tropical forests. Their findings reveal that the tropical Americas, Africa and Asia tend to occupy different portions of the total functional trait space available across tropical forests.
Latitudinal scaling of aggregation with abundance and coexistence in forests (FREE)
Wiegand et al present a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns of 720 tree species in 21 large forest plots and their consequences for species coexistence. They show that species with low abundance tend to be more spatially aggregated than more abundant species. Moreover, there is a latitudinal gradient in the strength of this negative aggregation–abundance relationship that increases from tropical to temperate forests.
TIR1-produced cAMP as a second messenger in transcriptional auxin signalling (FREE)
TIR1/AFB auxin receptors are F-box subunits of an ubiquitin ligase complex; after auxin perception, they associate with Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors and ubiquitinate them for degradation, thus enabling the activation of auxin response factor (ARF) transcription factors. Chen et al revise this paradigm by showing that without TIR1 adenylate cyclase (AC) activity, auxin-induced degradation of Aux/IAAs is not sufficient to mediate the transcriptional auxin response.
Arabidopsis research in 2030: Translating the computable plant (FREE)
This 4th Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee Roadmap outlines future directions, with emphasis on computational approaches, research support, translation to crops, conference accessibility, coordinated research efforts, climate change mitigation, sustainable production, and fundamental research.
Plant pathogenic fungi hijack phosphate signaling with conserved enzymatic effectors ($)
Plant pathogens often release proteins to target host machinery and increase their infection success. McCombe et al. examined the NUDIX family of proteins, which are found in diverse pathogens and target multiple plant species. They found that fungal pathogens can use NUDIX proteins to trick plants by disrupting their ability to sense their own inorganic phosphate status.
DOG1 controls dormancy independently of ABA core signaling kinases regulation by preventing AFP dephosphorylation through AHG1 (FREE)
Seed dormancy determines germination timing, influencing seed plant adaptation and overall fitness. DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) is a conserved central regulator of dormancy cooperating with the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) through negative regulation of ABA HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION (AHG) 1 and AHG3 phosphatases. The current molecular mechanism of DOG1 signaling proposes it regulates the activation of central ABA-related SnRK2 kinases. Krüger et al unveil DOG1’s functional autonomy from the regulation of ABA core signaling components and unravel its pivotal control over the activation of ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE FIVE BINDING PROTEINs (AFPs).
Functional composition of the Amazonian tree flora and forests (FREE)
Plants cope with the environment by displaying large phenotypic variation. Two spectra of global plant form and function have been identified: a size spectrum from small to tall species with increasing stem tissue density, leaf size, and seed mass; a leaf economics spectrum reflecting slow to fast returns on investments in leaf nutrients and carbon. When species assemble to communities it is assumed that these spectra are filtered by the environment to produce community level functional composition. It is unknown what are the main drivers for community functional composition in a large area such as Amazonia. Ter Steege et al use 13 functional traits, including wood density, seed mass, leaf characteristics, breeding system, nectar production, fruit type, and root characteristics of 812 tree genera (5211 species), and find that they describe two main axes found at the global scale.
Tethering ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase to photosystem I promotes photosynthetic cyclic electron transfer (FREE)
Fixing CO2 via photosynthesis requires ATP and NADPH, which can be generated through linear electron transfer (LET). However, depending on the environmental conditions, additional ATP may be required to fix CO2, which can be generated by cyclic electron transfer (CET). How the balance between LET and CET is determined remains largely unknown. Ferredoxin-NADP+reductase (FNR) may act as the switch between LET and CET, channelling photosynthetic electrons to LET when it is bound to photosystem I (PSI) or to CET when it is bound to cytochrome b6f. The essential role of FNR in LET precludes the use of a direct gene knock-out to test this hypothesis. Emrich-Mills et al circumvented this problem using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9)-mediated gene editing in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Through this approach, they created a chimeric form of FNR tethered to PSI via PSAF.
The AoB PLANTS logo
Chief Editor, AoB PLANTS, Worldwide
If you’ve ever wanted to run a top-notch, open-access plant science journal, now’s your chance. AoB PLANTS is on the lookout for a new Chief Editor as Professor Tom Buckley prepares to step down this summer.
Note: These are posts that have been advertised around the web. They are not posts that I personally offer , nor can I arrange the visa for you to work internationally.
Postdoctoral Research Officer in Seagrass Ecology, Swansea
The successful applicant will join a small project team set within the Spatial & Population Ecology Research Group (SpacePop, led by Prof James Bull) and the Seagrass Ecology Research Group (led by Dr Richard Unsworth). You will join the final year of a four-year, NERC-funded project: ‘Restoration of Seagrass for Ocean Wealth’ (ReSOW). The role comes about through identification of additional salary budget. This puts you in an enviable position, capitalising on substantial existing data and analysis to complete the aims of the project and publish findings in high impact journals.
Research Associate – Processes at the Phytophthora Haustorium (Fixed Term), Cambridge
Applications are invited for a Post-doctoral Research Associate position in the group of Dr Sebastian Schornack (www.schornacklab.net, bsky: @dromius.bsky.social) at the Sainsbury Laboratory (SLCU), Cambridge University, to study biochemical and cellar processes at the Phytophthora-Nicotiana haustorium.
Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term), Cambridge
We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral Research Assistant / Research Associate to join the Kromdijk lab to study chilling responses in maize. Recent work in the Kromdijk group found that root-specific chilling already creates significant damage and downregulation of photosynthesis at mild chilling temperatures at which plants can safely tolerate whole-plant chilling. These results suggest that chilling stress symptoms under field conditions could reflect both maize’ poor capacity to cope with low temperature per se, but also with cool temperature of roots relative to shoots. The advertised role will perform experiments to deconvolute the impact and underlying mechanisms of whole plant chilling and root-specific chilling in maize
Research Fellow (Plant Molecular Genetics), Aberdeen
This position funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of a collaborative project between the University of Aberdeen and Durham University to work on Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) produced by rice. The overall aim of this proposal is to investigate BNI in rice, by understanding the nature of natural variation in BNI efficiency in both domesticated and wild rice. This will be conducted through genetic mapping, to identify key genes involved in increasing BNI efficiency, to characterise BNI compounds produced by rice, and to evaluate the impact of increasing BNI efficiency in rice on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil.
Curations Assistant Technician (Fixed term, part time), Nottingham
The Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre (NASC) is seeking a Curation Assistant to help us process the new seed stocks harvested in 2024 and 2025. This includes cleaning, aliquoting and integrating thousands of stocks into our different seed rooms as well as preparing additional seed tubes to send to our colleagues at the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center (ABRC) at Ohio State University, USA.
Harge.E De Mission H/F « Suivis Agroecologiques En Parcelles Agricoles » Nouvelle-Aquitaine
La personne sera recrutée au CNRS et sera accueillie dans l’équipe Résilience du Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, laboratoire situé dans le sud des Deux Sèvres, à proximité de la ville de Niort (http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/).
L’équipe.%EF%BF%BCL%E2%80%99%C3%A9quipe?utm_source=BotanyOne&utm_medium=email) Résilience pilote la Zone Atelier Plaine & Val de Sèvre (https://za-plaineetvaldesevre.com/) sur laquelle elle développe avec ses partenaires des recherches pour comprendre et promouvoir la transition agroécologie et alimentaire en mobilisant les solutions fondées sur la nature. Ce travail s’inscrit dans des projets visant à identifier avec les agriculteurs des solutions fondées sur la nature permettant de concevoir des systèmes de culture conciliant production, revenu, santé, conservation de la biodiversité, et protection de l’environnement.
Postdoctoral researcher: ERC-funded project ‘Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants’, Wageningen
Are you passionate about cytoplasmic genetics in plants? Excited to uncover the mechanisms underlying the maternal inheritance of plastids and mitochondria? If so, we invite you to join our newly established Cytoplasmic Genetics Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
We are currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher who is enthusiastic about contributing to the ERC-funded project: “Control of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants”
Postdoc Genetics and Breeding of crops for marginal lands, Wageningen
Are you interested in exploring the genetic potential of plant species to contribute to a Circular Bioeconomy? Do you enjoy the challenge of applying (evolutionary) genetics approaches to unravel carbon partitioning in the plant and how does that influence biomass quality? Are you a highly motivated researcher with interest in developing the plants for marginal lands? Then this vacancy may be of interest to you.
Full Professor and Chair of Phytopathology, Wageningen
Wageningen University & Research is looking for a full professor (0.8-1.0 fte) to lead the Phytopathology chair group. Our chair group conducts interdisciplinary and discovery research on molecular, ecological and evolutionary interactions between plant pathogens and their biotic environments aiming at improving plant, crop and seed health. Specifically, the group studies the genetic and environmental cues that determine pathogen lifestyle and lifestyle switches, the dynamics of microbial genomes and populations, and how these lead to new disease outbreaks.
Assistant/associate professor position in Crop Ecology (0.8 – 1.0 fte), Wageningen
Are you passionate about transforming agriculture towards a more sustainable, resilient future? Do you want to explore how ecological interactions in crops and landscapes can enhance disease suppression while supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, and productivity? We are looking for an Assistant/Associate Professor in Crop Ecology.
Postdoc position in silviculture, Alnarp
We are seeking a highly motivated person to conduct research in the intersection of silviculture and tree ecophysiology. The projects focus on how stand management have an effect on the ecophysiology and drought response in trees.
Postdoctoral position in Pea Genome Editing, Alnarp
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join a project utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to reduce major antinutritional factors (ANFs) in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. The ultimate goal is to enhance the nutritional quality and taste of pea seeds while maintaining plant health.
PhD, Unraveling the role of rapid auxin responses in the morphogenesis of above-ground Arabidopsis body, Prague
The aim of this thesis is to clarify the role the cytoplasmic auxin signaling pathway in the morphogenesis of above-ground Arabidopsis body and to dissect which of the known auxin receptors control rapid auxin responses in the above-ground tissues.
Plant Sciences – Applied Genomics and Pre-Breeding Chair (Assistant Professor, in Cereal Crops), Saskatchewan
The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) invites applications for an applied genomics and pre-breeding chair in cereal crops. This is a continuing status (tenure-track) position in applied genomics and pre-breeding and will be housed within the Crop Development Centre (CDC). The successful candidate will commence a strategic and productive applied research program with an emphasis on wheat and its relatives (95%). Activity in one or more other small grain cereals including barley, oat, and/or canary seed (5%) is expected.
Research Scientist, Asst, Wyoming
The Research Scientist will support a wide variety of agricultural research projects at Sheridan Research and Extension Center and surrounding areas. The incumbent will participate in designing, implementing, and interpreting research studies across a wide range of subjects, but with a special emphasis on the plant breeding and improvement program.
Post Doctoral Research Scholar – Modeling Soil Carbon and GHG Emissions from Vegetable Systems, North Carolina
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to model soil carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vegetable farms in the Southern Piedmont region. The researcher will use process-based models such as DayCent and tools like COMET-Farm to assess the impact of various agricultural management practices on soil sustainability and climate mitigation.
Post-Doctoral Associate, Minnesota
The researcher will identify interacting host and pathogen gene variants, investigate the interaction of wheat disease resistance genes and Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) avirulence genes, and validation of resistance and susceptibility of relevant wheat lines to Pgt. Post-Doctoral Associates conduct research and/or service that provides further development of career skills or allows them opportunities to learn new research techniques. They are trained by and work in conjunction with a faculty mentor who determines the training agenda. Positions are limited to a period of three to five years, depending on training needs.
Senior Manager, Agriculture Analytics, Brisbane
In this role, you will lead a dynamic team delivering high-quality, data-driven insights across universities, research institutes, and commercial partners. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing the delivery of UQ initiatives such as AI for Agricultural Informatics (AI2) and the AAGI Strategic Partnership, while also guiding the design and execution of data science solutions within the Australian Plant Phenomics Network.
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