B. P. Dilkes

A large effect fitness trade-off across environments is explained by a single mutation affecting cold acclimation

This study identifies a single mutation in CBF2 that causes a fitness trade-off by affecting cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana across environments.

The Auxin Response Factor ARF27 is required for maize root morphogenesis

This study identifies ARF27 as a key regulator of auxin-mediated root morphogenesis in maize, showing its role in root hair formation and auxin response.

Two teosintes made modern maize

This study clarifies the origin of modern maize by showing it resulted from an ancient admixture between domesticated maize and Zea mays ssp. mexicana around 5300 years ago, contributing to genetic and phenotypic diversity.

Genome-wide association identifies impacts of chlorophyll levels on reproductive maturity and architecture in maize

This study shows chlorophyll reduction in maize delays reproductive maturity by altering growth rather than development, and can increase or decrease plant height depending on the extent of chlorophyll reduction.

Disruption of Zea mays isochorismate synthase1 decreases PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA LYASE activity and suppresses hypersensitive response-induced metabolism

This study shows that disrupting Zea mays ICS1 reduces PAL activity and suppresses hypersensitive response metabolism, revealing an interaction between ICS and PAL pathways in SA biosynthesis.

slim shady is a novel allele of PHYTOCHROMEB present in the T-DNA line SALK_015201

The paper identifies a novel PHYTOCHROME B allele in a T-DNA line causing a long hypocotyl phenotype, linking it to auxin and light signaling in seedling development.

Maize brace roots provide stalk anchorage

This study shows that maize brace roots provide a rigid base for stalk anchorage, but their contribution to anchorage is not linearly related to flowering time.

Endosidin20 targets cellulose synthase catalytic domain to inhibit cellulose biosynthesis

Endosidin20 inhibits cellulose synthesis by targeting the catalytic site of CESA6, reducing cellulose synthase complex delivery to the plasma membrane.

Adult Plant Resistance in Maize to Northern Leaf Spot Is a Feature of Partial Loss-of-function Alleles of Hm1

This study identifies weak Hm1 alleles as the cause of adult plant resistance to northern leaf spot in maize, showing reduced enzymatic activity leads to resistance in mature plants but not seedlings.

Phytohormone Inhibitor Treatments Phenocopy Brassinosteroid And Gibberellin Dwarf Mutant Interactions In Maize

The paper tests triazole inhibitors to mimic double mutant phenotypes in maize, finding some inhibitors replicate mutant effects while others do not, revealing GA and BR interactions.