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Plants respond to stress by releasing biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which are abundantly produced across the plant kingdom, comprise an important group within the BVOCs. They can repel or attract herbivores and their natural enemies; and they can induce plant defences or prime plants for enhanced defence against herbivores and pathogens and can have direct toxic effects on bacteria and fungi. Unlike other volatiles, GLVs are released almost instantly upon mechanical damage and (a)biotic stress and could thus function as an immediate and informative signal for many organisms in the plant’s environment. We used a meta-analysis approach in which data from the literature on GLV production during biotic stress responses were compiled and interpreted.We identified that different types of attackers and feeding styles add a degree of complexity to the amount of emitted GLVs, compared with wounding alone. This meta-analysis illustrates that there is less variation in the GLV profile than we presumed, that pathogens induce more GLVs than insects and wounding, and that there are clear differences in GLV emission between monocots and dicots. Besides the meta-analysis, this review provides an update on recent insights into the perception and signalling of GLVs in plants.

Despite long-time awareness of the importance of the location of buds in plant biology, research on belowground bud banks has been scant. Terms such as lignotuber, xylopodium and sobole, all referring to belowground bud-bearing structures, are used inconsistently in the literature. Because soil efficiently insulates meristems from the heat of fire, concealing buds below ground provides fitness benefits in fire-prone ecosystems. Thus, in these ecosystems, there is a remarkable diversity of bud-bearing structures. There are at least six locations where belowground buds are stored: roots, root crown, rhizomes, woody burls, fleshy swellings and belowground caudexes. These support many morphologically distinct organs. Given their history and function, these organs may be divided into three groups: those that originated in the early history of plants and that currently are widespread (bud-bearing roots and root crowns); those that also originated early and have spread mainly among ferns and monocots (nonwoody rhizomes and a wide range of fleshy underground swellings); and those that originated later in history and are strictly tied to fire-prone ecosystems (woody rhizomes, lignotubers and xylopodia). Recognizing the diversity of belowground bud banks is the starting point for understanding the many evolutionary pathways available for responding to severe recurrent disturbances.

Thismia kelabitiana, a new unique species from the Sarawak state of Malaysia in the island of Borneo is described and illustrated. This new species is not similar to any species of Thismia described so far especially by having a unique form of mitre and outer perianth lobes deeply divided into 8-10 acute lobes and forming striking fringe around perianth tube opening. The species appears to be critically endangered due to ongoing logging activities in the region. It may potentially become a surrogate species for lower montane forests of the region and thus help protect them against further destruction.

Tricin was recently discovered in lignin preparations from wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw and subsequently in all monocot samples examined. To provide proof that tricin is involved in lignification and establish the mechanism by which it incorporates into the lignin polymer, the 4ʹ-O-β-coupling products of tricin with the monolignols (p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols) were synthesized along with the trimer that would result from its 4ʹ-O-β-couplingwith sinapyl alcohol and then coniferyl alcohol. Tricin was also found to cross couple with monolignols to form tricin-(4ʹ-O-β)-linked dimers in biomimetic oxidations using peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide or silver (I) oxide. Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of gel permeation chromatography-fractionated acetylated maize (Zea mays) lignin revealed that the tricin moieties are found in even the highest molecular weight fractions, ether linked to lignin units, demonstrating that tricin is indeed incorporated into the lignin polymer. These findings suggest that tricin is fully compatible with lignification reactions, is an authentic lignin monomer, and, because it can only start a lignin chain, functions as a nucleation site for lignification in monocots. This initiation role helps resolve a long-standing dilemma that monocot lignin chains do not appear to be initiated by monolignol homodehydrodimerization as they are in dicots that have similar syringyl-guaiacyl compositions. The term flavonolignin is recommended for the racemic oligomers and polymers of monolignols that start from tricin (or incorporate other flavonoids) in the cell wall, in analogy with the existing term flavonolignan that is used for the low-molecular mass compounds composed of flavonoid and lignan moieties.

Premise of the Study Phylogenetic support has been difficult to evaluate within the green plant tree of life partly due to a lack of specificity between conflicted versus poorly informed branches. As data sets continue to expand in both breadth and depth, new support measures are needed that are more efficient and informative. Methods We describe the Quartet Sampling (QS) method, a quartet‐based evaluation system that synthesizes several phylogenetic and genomic analytical approaches. QS characterizes discordance in large‐sparse and genome‐wide data sets, overcoming issues of alignment sparsity and distinguishing strong conflict from weak support. We tested QS with simulations and recent plant phylogenies inferred from variously sized data sets. Key Results QS scores demonstrated convergence with increasing replicates and were not strongly affected by branch depth. Patterns of QS support from different phylogenies led to a coherent understanding of ancestral branches defining key disagreements, including the relationships of Ginkgo to cycads, magnoliids to monocots and eudicots, and mosses to liverworts. The relationships of ANA‐grade angiosperms (Amborella, Nymphaeales, Austrobaileyales), major monocot groups, bryophytes, and fern families are likely highly discordant in their evolutionary histories, rather than poorly informed. QS can also detect discordance due to introgression in phylogenomic data. Conclusions Quartet Sampling is an efficient synthesis of phylogenetic tests that offers more comprehensive and specific information on branch support than conventional measures. The QS method corroborates growing evidence that phylogenomic investigations that incorporate discordance testing are warranted when reconstructing complex evolutionary histories, in particular those surrounding ANA‐grade, monocots, and nonvascular plants.

Phenylpropanoid pathway provides precursors for numerous secondary metabolites in plants. In this pathway, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.12, 4CL) is the main branch point enzyme which generates activated thioesters. Being the last enzyme of three shared common steps in general phenylpropanoid pathway, it contributes to channelize precursors for different phenylpropanoids. In plants, 4CL enzymes are present in multiple isoforms and encoded by small gene family. It belongs to adenylate-forming enzyme family and catalyzes the reaction that converts hydroxy or methoxy cinnamic acid derivatives to corresponding thioesters. These thioesters are further utilized for biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, which are known for having numerous nutritional and medicinal applications. In addition, the 4CL enzymes have been characterized from various plants for their role in plant physiology or in biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, specific isoforms are differentially regulated upon exposure to diverse stimuli leading to flux diversion toward the particular metabolite biosynthesis. Evolutionary studies showed that 4CL separately evolved after monocot and dicot segregation. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on 4CL, which includes evolution, function, gene/protein structure, role in metabolite biosynthesis and cellular partition, and their regulation. Based on the available data, we have explored the scope for pathway engineering by utilizing 4CL enzymes.

Background Wintersweet ( Chimonanthus praecox ), an important ornamental plant, has evolved unique fragrant aroma and winter-flowering properties, which are critical for its successful sexual reproduction. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these traits are largely unknown in this species. In addition, wintersweet is also a typical representative species of the magnoliids, where the phylogenetic position of which relative to eudicots and monocots has not been conclusively resolved. Results Here, we present a chromosome-level wintersweet genome assembly with a total size of 695.36 Mb and a draft genome assembly of Calycanthus chinensis . Phylogenetic analyses of 17 representative angiosperm genomes suggest that Magnoliids and eudicots are sister to monocots. Whole-genome duplication signatures reveal two major duplication events in the evolutionary history of the wintersweet genome, with an ancient one shared by Laurales, and a more recent one shared by the Calycantaceae. Whole-genome duplication and tandem duplication events have significant impacts on copy numbers of genes related to terpene and benzenoid/phenylpropanoid (the main floral scent volatiles) biosynthesis, which may contribute to the characteristic aroma formation. An integrative analysis combining cytology with genomic and transcriptomic data reveals biological characteristics of wintersweet, such as floral transition in spring, floral organ specification, low temperature-mediated floral bud break, early blooming in winter, and strong cold tolerance. Conclusions These findings provide insights into the evolutionary history of wintersweet and the relationships among the Magnoliids, monocots, and eudicots; the molecular basis underlying floral scent biosynthesis; and winter flowering, and highlight the utility of multi-omics data in deciphering important ornamental traits in wintersweet.

Comparisons of concepts in monocot and eudicot leaf development are presented, with attention to the morphologies and mechanisms separating these angiosperm lineages. Monocot and eudicot leaves are distinguished by the differential elaborations of upper and lower leaf zones, the formation of sheathing/nonsheathing leaf bases and vasculature patterning. We propose that monocot and eudicot leaves undergo expansion of mediolateral domains at different times in ontogeny, directly impacting features such as venation and leaf bases. Furthermore, lineage-specific mechanisms in compound leaf development are discussed. Although models for the homologies of enigmatic tissues, such as ligules and stipules, are proposed, tests of these hypotheses are rare. Likewise, comparisons of stomatal development are limited to Arabidopsis and a few grasses. Future studies may investigate correlations in the ontogenies of parallel venation and linear stomatal files in monocots, and the reticulate patterning of veins and dispersed stoma in eudicots. Although many fundamental mechanisms of leaf development are shared in eudicots and monocots, variations in the timing, degree and duration of these ontogenetic events may contribute to key differences in morphology. We anticipate that the incorporation of an ever-expanding number of sequenced genomes will enrich our understanding of the developmental mechanisms generating eudicot and monocot leaves.

• Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate vital cellular processes, including responses to extreme temperatures with which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are often closely associated. • In the present study, it was found that aberrant temperatures caused extensive changes in abundance to numerous miRNAs in banana fruit, especially the copper (Cu)-associated miRNAs. Among them, miR528 was significantly downregulated under cold stress and it was found to target genes encoding polyphenol oxidase (PPO), different from those identified in rice and maize. Expression of PPO genes was upregulated by >100-fold in cold conditions, leading to ROS surge and subsequent peel browning of banana fruit. • Extensive comparative genomic analyses revealed that the monocot-specific miR528 can potentially target a large collection of genes encoding Cu-containing proteins. Most of them are actively involved in cellular ROS metabolism, including not only ROS generating oxidases, but also ROS scavenging enzymes. • It also was demonstrated that miR528 has evolved a distinct preference of target genes in different monocots, with its target site varying in position among/within gene families, implying a highly dynamic process of target gene diversification. Its broad capacity to target genes encoding Cu-containing protein implicates miR528 as a key regulator for modulating the cellular ROS homeostasis in monocots.

Genomic DNA base composition (GC content) is predicted to significantly affect genome functioning and species ecology. Although several hypotheses have been put forward to address the biological impact of GC content variation in microbial and vertebrate organisms, the biological significance of GC content diversity in plants remains unclear because of a lack of sufficiently robust genomic data. Using flow cytometry, we report genomic GC contents for 239 species representing 70 of 78 monocot families and compare them with genomic characters, a suite of life history traits and climatic niche data using phylogeny-based statistics. GC content of monocots varied between 33.6% and 48.9%, with several groups exceeding the GC content known for any other vascular plant group, highlighting their unusual genome architecture and organization. GC content showed a quadratic relationship with genome size, with the decreases in GC content in larger genomes possibly being a consequence of the higher biochemical costs of GC base synthesis. Dramatic decreases in GC content were observed in species with holocentric chromosomes, whereas increased GC content was documented in species able to grow in seasonally cold and/or dry climates, possibly indicating an advantage of GC-rich DNA during cell freezing and desiccation. We also show that genomic adaptations associated with changing GC content might have played a significant role in the evolution of the Earth’s contemporary biota, such as the rise of grass-dominated biomes during the mid-Tertiary. One of the major selective advantages of GC-rich DNA is hypothesized to be facilitating more complex gene regulation. Significance Our large-scale survey of genomic nucleotide composition across monocots has enabled the first rigorous testing, to our knowledge, of its biological significance in plants. We show that genomic DNA base composition (GC content) is significantly associated with genome size and holocentric chromosomal structure. GC content may also have deep ecological relevance, because changes in GC content may have played a significant role in the evolution of Earth’s biota, especially the rise of grass-dominated biomes during the mid-Tertiary. The discovery of several groups with very unusual GC contents highlights the need for in-depth analysis to uncover the full extent of genomic diversity. Furthermore, our stratified sampling method of distribution data and quantile regression-like logic of phylogenetic analyses may find wider applications in the analysis of spatially heterogeneous data.