Here's a round up of the top 20 papers you've been sharing this week on Bluesky. Papers behind a paywall are marked 💰otherwise they're free to access at time of checking.
How this works
We scan posts by people on the Botany Auto list and pull out the entries with links to papers. Every time a paper gets a post written about it it gets 4 points. It gets 3 points for a repost and 1 point for a like.
We try to add people to the Botany Auto post, if they post about Botany (doesn't have to be links to papers) around 20% of the time or more. The belief is that because the list as a whole shares an interest in plants, it's this material that tends to rise to the top.
If you think you should be on the Botany Auto list, but aren't, please drop a message to @botany.one on Bluesky.
1. Conserved TIR-only proteins drive transcriptional defense and basal immunity in dicot and monocot plants
Laessle, H. et al. · bioRxiv · Score: 350
Toll/interleukin-1/resistance (TIR) domain NADase enzymes signal in plant immunity by producing ribosylated nucleotide second messengers which activate EDS1 dimer-helper NLR pathways to restrict pathogen growth. Members of a small, distinctive group of TIR-only proteins are conserved between dicots and monocots, yet their functions remain poorly understood. Here, we show that conserved TIR-only proteins in Arabidopsis and barley share a fundamental enzymatic role in promoting basal defense against virulent filamentous pathogens, independently of NLR mediated effector-triggered immunity.
TIRs are key regulators of plant immunity, but the role of conserved TIR-only proteins has remained unclear. Here, we compare TIR-only proteins from Arabidopsis and barley and show that they share a conserved role in plant immunity. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
— parkergroup.bsky.social (@parkergroup.bsky.social) 6:30 · Jun 9, 2026
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2. Chromosome gigantism and auxin deconjugation underpin gall induction in a horned gall aphid
Qin Lu et al. · bioRxiv · Score: 226
Insect galls are extended phenotypes built through sustained reprogramming of host development, yet the genomic innovations and effector mechanisms that enable this process remain poorly resolved. Here we generated chromosome-level genomes for the horned gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis and its host tree Rhus chinensis, and integrated these resources with morph-resolved salivary proteomics, metabolomics and functional assays.
Amazing! This report suggests that a gall aphid injects into their plant host an enzyme that manipulates auxin levels in the host and thereby induces galls. #plantscience #plantsci www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
— PlantEvolution 🌱🌾 (@plantevolution.bsky.social) 16:13 · Jun 11, 2026
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3. Rational design of T-DNA vectors enables predictable, single-copy integration in Arabidopsis thaliana
Shaw, W. M. et al. · bioRxiv · Score: 194
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the dominant method for plant transgenesis, yet it frequently produces multi-copy, structurally complex T-DNA insertions associated with transgene silencing, unpredictable expression, and genome instability. Here, leveraging a high-throughput phenotypic reporter, we systematically dissect how T-DNA vector architecture, plasmid biology, and regulatory element choice shape transformation outcomes in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Rational design of T-DNA vectors enables predictable, single-copy integration in Arabidopsis thaliana https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.08.730999v1
— bioRxiv Plant Bio (@biorxiv-plants.bsky.social) 15:04 · Jun 10, 2026
4. A potato late blight pathogen effector interacts with ENTH-domain protein TOL9a and an activated helper NLR to suppress immunity
Madhuprakash, J. et al. · Science Advances · Score: 192
Pathogens counteract central nodes of NLR immune receptor networks to suppress immunity. However, the mechanisms by which pathogens hijack helper NLR pathways are poorly understood. We show that an effector from the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans interacts with the host protein NbTOL9a and a helper NLR to suppress immunity.
As seen on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social: our story on how the dreaded late blight pathogen hijacks a helper NLR pathway is now out in its final form! 🎉 Meet AVRcap1b: the two-faced effector 🧵👇 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
— Mauricio Contreras (@mpcontreras.bsky.social) 10:45 · Jun 9, 2026
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5. General Predictions for the Effects of Warming on Competition
Davis, K. E. et al. · Ecology Letters · Score: 168
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Understanding the effects of climate change on ecological communities has been limited by a lack of general theory for how temperature affects competition. To fill this knowledge gap, we integrated Modern Coexistence Theory and the Metabolic Theory of Ecology by incorporating empirically derived temperature sensitivities into Modern Coexistence Theory's central model. We then simulated warming in consumer‐resource systems and found that warming reduced both niche and fitness differences, making species more ecologically similar and competitive interactions more neutral. The greatest shifts in competition occurred when temperature sensitivities among species were highly asymmetrical.
New paper out today in Ecology Letters! We use Modern Coexistence Theory and Metabolic Theory to get general predictions for the effect of temperature on competition. Led by brilliant postdoc @kaleighedavis.bsky.social and @joeybernhardt.bsky.social, with Po-Ju Ke, Patrick Thompson and Mary O'Connor
— Tess Grainger (@tessgrainger.bsky.social) 21:07 · Jun 11, 2026
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6. Antagonistic interactions between CLAVATA receptors shape maize ear development 💰
Lindsay, P. L. et al. · New Phytologist · Score: 154
Meristem activity is controlled by the CLAVATA (CLV) signaling pathway, which involves a suite of leucine‐rich receptor (LRR) receptors, receptor‐like proteins, and CLV‐EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) peptide ligands. FASCIATED EAR 3 (FEA3) is a leucine‐rich receptor (LRR) receptor‐like protein important for meristem maintenance in maize and acts independently of canonical CLV receptors. To identify FEA3's interaction network, we used TurboID‐based proximity labeling in Zea mays meristems and identified a putative co‐receptor, BARELY ANY MERISTEM 1D (BAM1D).
my image is featured on the cover of New Phytologist! Interested in receptor proximity labeling and how receptors coordinate meristem regulation? Find out more here: nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
— Penelope Lindsay (@penlindsay.bsky.social) 7:27 · Jun 10, 2026
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7. Mass extinctions and land plant evolution
Zhuo Feng · Current Biology · Score: 134
In this primer, I will discuss the potential reasons why the End-Permian extinction event had such a profound effect on terrestrial plant life. I will draw examples from the best preserved ecosystem from this time period — the Cathaysian Flora.
Cool article: Mass extinctions and land plant evolution The big five - five mass extinctions and their importance for plant evolution. www.cell.com/current-biol...
— Ralf Reski (@reskilab.bsky.social) 12:13 · Jun 11, 2026
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8. Two decades of resurrection studies: What have we learned about contemporary evolution of plant species?
Pennington, L. K. et al. · American Journal of Botany · Score: 124
Global climate change has altered the eco‐evolutionary trajectories of plant species, leading to observed shifts in phenotypes, such as earlier flowering. However, disentangling the contributions of plasticity and adaptation to trait changes remains challenging. The resurrection approach is a powerful method to study genetic and plastic responses by contrasting ancestral and descendant lineages from the same populations under common conditions. We compiled a database of resurrection studies to examine plant evolutionary responses to global change using a meta‐analysis (46 studies) and quantitative and qualitative review (61 studies).
See @seemasheth.bsky.social's post on Bluesky.
9. A bifunctional coiled-coil protein generates the membrane-within-condensate architecture of the CO2-fixing pyrenoid
Ergun, S. L. et al. · bioRxiv · Score: 98
How membranes are integrated into biomolecular condensates is a fundamental question in cell biology. In the algal pyrenoid, an organelle responsible for one-third of global carbon fixation, CO2-delivering thylakoid membranes must penetrate a phase-separated condensate of the CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco, but the mechanism governing membrane recruitment into the condensate remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii protein MITH1 acts as a molecular anchor that brings membrane into the pyrenoid condensate.
The algal pyrenoid fixes ~1/3 of global carbon, relying on a unique membrane-within-condensate architecture. How is this architecture built? We discovered that the protein MITH1 draws membranes into the pyrenoid condensate by promoting wetting! 🌿💧 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
— Martin Jonikas (@mjonikas.bsky.social) 20:54 · Jun 11, 2026
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10. Ancient hybridization and phylogenetic discordance: Exploring evolutionary complexity in Asteraceae
Ellestad, P. A. et al. · Applications in Plant Sciences · Score: 98
Conflicting phylogenetic signals are common in plant phylogenomics and often reflect evolutionary histories shaped by processes like hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting, and whole‐genome duplication (WGD). We aimed to identify and assess these complex processes in the hyper‐diverse family Asteraceae to offer insight into the underlying causes of phylogenetic discordance. We used new and existing Hyb‐Seq and transcriptome data to explore phylogenetic discordance by testing for nuclear/plastid incongruences, WGD, and reticulation. We present a tutorial detailing the execution of complex bioinformatic analyses to increase transparency, facilitate reproducibility, and support advancements in the field of plant evolution ( https://github.com/erika-r-moore/Ellestad_etal_2025_APPS_Hybridizations ).
From the #AppsPlantSci Phylogenetic Networks issue Ancient hybridization & #phylogenetic discordance: Exploring evolutionary complexity in #Asteraceae (Ellestad, @erikarmoore11.bsky.social @carolsiniscalchi.bsky.social @jennifermandel.bsky.social et al) doi.org/10.1002/aps3... #evolution #botany
— Botanical Society of America (@botsocamerica.bsky.social) 16:54 · Jun 9, 2026
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11. Structure of giant kelp Photosystem I-FCP uncovers drivers of antenna evolution across the red lineage
Weissman, J.D. et al. · Nature Communications · Score: 92
Cool new work on potential mechanisms for the light-capturing efficiency of #kelp: “Whereas photosystems are structurally & functionally conserved, their antenna systems & chromophores are highly diverse, tuned to absorb light in different environments.” www.nature.com/articles/s41... 🦑🌊
— Matt Bracken (@brackenlab.bsky.social) 17:11 · Jun 10, 2026
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12. The maternal-effect gene ZmGRP23 promotes PPR-DYW-mediated RNA editing in maize mitochondria 💰
Yang, Y-Z. et al. · Plant Physiology · Score: 92
🌽🧬ZmGRP23 is a maternal effect gene that controls mitochondrial RNA editing in maize. It recruits PPR DYW proteins via MORF factors. Loss of function stops seed development Low expression reduce editing at 190 mitochondrial sites #plantscience @plantphys.bsky.social academic.oup.com/plphys/artic...
— Global Plant Science Spotlight (@plant-sci.bsky.social) 9:05 · Jun 8, 2026
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13. Past legacies and future trajectories: climatic refugia, range shifts, and conservation gaps for the endangered Oglethorpe oak (Quercus oglethorpensis)
Subedi, S.C. et al. · Frontiers in Forests and Global Change · Score: 92
So I may have mentioned it, but I'm part of a conservation working group to save the Oglethorpe oak from extinction. well, I've been bringing up the whole "we need to figure out where to put these tree babies re: climate change" for a while and.... massive assist from the modelers just dropped
— Timberdoodle (@timberdoodlydoo.bsky.social) 2:50 · Jun 11, 2026
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14. HybSuite: An integrated pipeline for hybrid capture phylogenomics from reads to trees
Liu, Y. et al. · Applications in Plant Sciences · Score: 84
From the upcoming #AppsPlantSci Phylogenetic Networks issue HybSuite: An integrated pipeline for hybrid capture #phylogenomics from reads to trees (by Yu-Xuan Liu, @miaosun.bsky.social, et al) bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #botany #plantscience #Elaeagnaceae #bioinformatics
— Botanical Society of America (@botsocamerica.bsky.social) 22:11 · Jun 8, 2026
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15. Integrating molecular and physiological approaches to quantify genetic controls for wheat development and improve phenotyping
Brown, H. et al. · Journal of Experimental Botany · Score: 84
🌾🧬Flowering time in wheat depends on genes, environment, and their interaction. This study linked VRN gene expression with plant development across six wheat genotypes The CAMP model revealed key differences between leaf & apical gene activity @jxbotany.bsky.social academic.oup.com/jxb/advance-...
— Global Plant Science Spotlight (@plant-sci.bsky.social) 7:42 · Jun 9, 2026
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16. Dynamic microbiome turnover and glycerol‐3‐phosphate‐linked metabolic adjustments underlie resilience to desiccation in intertidal algae 💰
Wang, Y. et al. · New Phytologist · Score: 80
Dynamic microbiome turnover and glycerol‐3‐phosphate‐linked metabolic adjustments underlie resilience to desiccation in intertidal algae Wang et al. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/XFWWWB...
— New Phytologist (@newphyt.bsky.social) 20:43 · Jun 8, 2026
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17. A co-proteomic view of metabolite-specific interactions in the Botrytis cinerea-Arabidopsis pathosystem
Muhich, A. J. et al. · bioRxiv · Score: 80
A co-proteomic view of metabolite-specific interactions in the Botrytis cinerea-Arabidopsis pathosystem https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.05.730517v1
— bioRxiv Plant Bio (@biorxiv-plants.bsky.social) 12:02 · Jun 6, 2026
18. Gravity sensing in plants
Wang, X. et al. · New Phytologist · Score: 80
✨ Paper spotlight ✨ Gravity sensing in plants nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... (🧵 1/6) This Tansley review explains how plants sense gravity to guide their growth. Wang et al. describe how the settling of starch-filled plastids trigger molecular signals that orient the plant.
— New Phytologist (@newphyt.bsky.social) 2:45 · Jun 8, 2026
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19. Wikidata for botanists: benefits of collaborating and sharing Linked Open Data
von Mering, S. et al. · Annals of Botany · Score: 78
Just received a lovely email from the journal #AnnalsOfBotany to say our article "Wikidata for botanists: benefits of collaborating and sharing Linked Open Data" is amongst the most-read of their recent articles. I'm quite proud of this! doi.org/10.1093/aob/... #Wikidata #Botany
— Siobhan Leachman (@siobhanleachman.bsky.social) 20:53 · Jun 8, 2026
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20. Laminar patterning transcription factors orchestrate spatial metabolite partitioning in Capsicum fruit 💰
Han, J. et al. · Nature Plants · Score: 76
🌶️🧬A single nucleus atlas of chili pepper development. 332,468 cells from seedlings to fruits. Maps capsaicin and capsanthin pathways to specific cell layers. Key transcription factors include WRKY6, ZAT10, and BTF3. #plantscience @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
— Global Plant Science Spotlight (@plant-sci.bsky.social) 15:27 · Jun 9, 2026
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Cover image: The Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) is the state flower of Alaska. Image credit: CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21337 The traditional growth ranges of numerous U.S. state flowers and insects are shifting due to climate change.
