Regulation of the trade-off between cold stress and growth by BcGSTF10.

Cold stress is a serious threat to global crop production and food security. Plant resistance to cold stress is accompanied by growth deficit and yield reduction. In the present study, we discovered the novel gene BcGSTF10 which is implicated in cold stress resistance. Biochemical and genetic analyses demonstrated that BcGSTF10 interacts with BcICE1 to induce C-repeat binding factor (CBF) genes that enhance freezing stress tolerance in non-heading Chinese cabbage [NHCC; Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) ssp. chinensis] and in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, BcCBF2 represses BcGSTF10 and the latter promotes growth in NHCC and Arabidopsis. This dual function of BcGSTF10 indicates its pivotal role in balancing cold stress and growth, which will inform the development of strategies to breed climate-resilient and high-yield crops.