European Union (EU) agricultural policy has been developed in the pursuit of laudable goals such as a competitive economy and regulatory harmony across the union. However, what has emerged is a fragmented, contradictory and unworkable legislative framework that could lead to economic disaster. On pages 312–324, Paul Christou and colleagues present case studies highlighting differences in the regulations applied to foods grown in EU countries and identical imported products, which show that the EU is undermining its own competitiveness in the agricultural sector, damaging both the EU and its humanitarian activities in the developing world. The authors recommend the adoption of rational, science-based principles for the harmonization of agricultural policies to prevent economic decline and lower standards of living across the continent. Cover design by Susanne C. Brink.
PCE:华中农大揭示H2S在植物适应低磷胁迫过程中的作用机制
Phosphorus (P)在植物生长发育过程中发挥重要作用。DES1（encoding L-cysteine desulfhydrase）在催化由L-半胱氨酸介导的H2S合成过程中发挥重要作用。本研究发现，在磷匮乏条件下des1 mutant的主根长度显著短于野生型，外施 H2S donor NaHS 可以恢复根系表型。过表达DES1则可以降低根系对磷饥饿的敏感度。
基因表达分析显示，Sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol 1 (SQD1) 是H2S介导的根系对磷饥饿响应的一个关键基因。
小结：本研究揭示了H2S在植物应答磷饥饿过程中的作用机制。
原文：Hydrogen sulphide alleviates root growth inhibition induced by phosphate starvation
