Work

Functional conservation and diversity of phytochrome B and its potential applications in crop improvement

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Phytochrome, first identified in the 1950s as a photoreceptor that senses red and far-red light, plays a crucial role in various aspects of plant growth and development. Numerous recent studies have revealed that phytochrome B (phyB) functions as both a photoreceptor and a thermosensor, integrating environmental light and temperature signals with internal hormonal, developmental, and metabolic cues to coordinate diverse cellular responses. As a core regulator, phyB has become one of the most extensively studied genes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. More recently, research on phyB has extended to major staple crops and vegetables, including maize, rice, wheat, tomato, and cucumber, in which it modulates critical agronomic traits such as plant architecture, flowering time, density tolerance, and yield. This review summarizes recent advances in phyB research, examines phyB conservation and diversity across species, and explores future prospects for using this information to develop innovative breeding strategies for crop improvement.

Source: Plant Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2026.101848

Authors: Qing Tao, Guodong Wang, Ziyu Wang, Yiduo An, Lin Ma, Gang Li

Institutions: Shandong Agricultural University, University of Jinan

Language: English

Topic: Light effects on plants

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,500