Mechanistic insights into leaf senescence regulation in woody plants: a molecular perspective.

This article focuses on the molecular regulation and environmental determinants of leaf senescence in woody plants, particularly deciduous trees. It highlights how leaf senescence—a complex, multi-level process critical for nutrient redistribution and plant development—is influenced by intrinsic factors like phytohormones and leaf age, as well as extrinsic cues such as photoperiod, temperature, and stress conditions. The review emphasizes recent advances using multi-omics technologies and gene editing to unravel the genetic networks controlling senescence, including key transcription factors and alternative splicing events in poplar species. It also discusses the ecological and physiological implications of senescence timing for nutrient recycling, reproductive growth, and tree longevity, underscoring the interplay between environmental signals and hormonal regulation in shaping senescence dynamics.