Plant biology has grown from its origins in botany to become an increasingly molecular science. Chemical biology, in turn, is evolving from its chemical roots to explore biological systems of greater complexity. Each discipline offers concepts and tools that will benefit the other, and we urge enhanced future collaboration between these two communities. To encourage the conversation, this issue...

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major environmental stress that inhibits plant growth and development. There has been impressive progress in recent years greatly increased our understanding of the nature Al its mechanisms tolerance. This review describes transcription factors (TFs) hormones involved adaptation to stress. In particular, it discusses strategies confer resistance stress, such as trans...

Axillary meristems form in the axils of leaves. After an initial phase of meristematic activity during which a small axillary bud is produced, they often enter a state of suspended growth from which they may be released to form a shoot branch. This post-embryonic growth plasticity is typical of plants and allows them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The shoot architecture of genot...

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in growth and disease resistance in plants. It also acts as a secondary messenger in signaling pathways for several plant hormones. Despite its clear role in regulating plant development, its role in fruit development is not known. In an earlier study, we described a short root (shr) mutant of tomato, whose phenotype results from hyperaccumulation of NO. T...

Vegetable oil utilization is determined by its fatty acid composition. In soybean and other grain crops, during the seed development oil accumulation is important trait for value in food or industrial applications. Seed development is relatively short and sensitive to unfavorable abiotic conditions. These stresses can lead to a numerous undesirable qualitative as well as quantitative changes in...

Reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by defined pluripotency and self-renewal factors has taken stem cell technology to the forefront of regenerative medicine. However, a number of challenges remain in the field including efficient protocols and the threat of cancer. Reprogramming of plant somatic cells to plant embryonic stem cells using a combination of two...

Ethylene is unique among all plant hormones in that it is an odorless and colorless gas, and yet like other hormones it has profound effect on many aspects of plant growth and development as well as the interaction of plants with their environment. The perception and signaling of ethylene in plants has intrigued many biologists since its discovery. The gaseous ethylene was established as a grow...

Gibberellins (GAs) are a family of plant hormones controlling many aspects of plant growth and development including stem elongation, germination, and the transition from vegetative growth to flowering. Cloning of the genes encoding GA biosynthetic and inactivating enzymes has led to numerous insights into the developmental regulation of GA hormone accumulation that is subject to both positive ...

The medicinal plant Plumbago contains a very potent secondary metabolite, plumbagin having many therapeutic properties. Callus culture was induced using explants, leaf, stem and shoot apex, from P. auriculata. Murashige and Skoog media fortified with various growth hormones like NAA, IAA, IBA and 2, 4-D individually and in various combinations were checked for callus induction. Among the growth...