The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has launched an open-access journal, Applications in Plant Sciences (APPS), to promote the rapid dissemination of new tools and protocols. APPS will be part of BioOne's Open Access Collection, fostering communication within the botanical community to advance plant sciences.
Two species of single-cell parasites have acquired new genes that work together to make an essential nutrient, allowing them to exploit their hosts more efficiently. This discovery highlights the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the rapid evolution of these tiny organisms.
A Purdue University study found that soil microbes can affect how glyphosate affects plants, potentially making resistant weeds more resistant to disease pressure. This discovery challenges existing understanding of glyphosate resistance and highlights the importance of considering soil microbes in weed management.
A special issue of Botany highlights CANPOLIN researchers' multipronged approach to pollination biology, examining topics such as climate change impacts and pollen limitation. The issue presents key findings on pollinator diversity and network analyses for conservation strategies.
The CIPRES Science Gateway is helping researchers unravel the enigmas of phylogenetics by making it possible to compare similarities and differences in DNA among large numbers of species. Phylogenetic studies are essential for understanding the history of life on earth, population changes, and evolutionary theories.
A team of researchers found that seaweeds employ two distinct strategies to reduce drag: 'shape changers' fold and collapse, while 'area reducers' compress their fronds through branch reorientation. This study sheds light on the complex relationship between flexibility, size, and shape changes in seaweeds.
Researchers found genetically modified Bt corn has lower colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal roots compared to non-Bt corn, but no impact on root biomass or shoot growth. This study contributes to understanding the effects of GM crops on non-target soil organisms and highlights the need for further research.
University of British Columbia researchers identified a gene in balsam fir trees that can facilitate the production of plant-based fixatives and scents, potentially replacing whale barf-derived ambergris. This discovery could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective production methods for high-end perfumes.
New research reveals that rainfall has a greater impact on China's agriculture than rising temperatures. The study, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, found that maize is sensitive to warming but not as affected by rainfall variability as previously thought.
New research reveals Artemisia tridentata seeds can form a persistent seed bank, enabling the species to regenerate post-fire. The study found that burying sagebrush seeds 3 cm below the soil surface increased their viability for up to 24 months.
New DNA sequencing techniques enable plant scientists to analyze complex genomes, revealing new insights into plant diversity and evolutionary history. Targeted enrichment methods facilitate the study of specific genes and regions, accelerating discovery in crop production, ecosystem health, and understanding plant diversity.
A new species, Solanum baretiae, has been named in honor of Jeanne Baret, a Frenchwoman who disguised herself as a man to work on a historic botany expedition. The species is endemic to southern Ecuador and northern Peru, reflecting Baret's adventurous spirit.
The open access journal PhytoKeys is pioneering electronic publication of new plant species, supported by strong practices from publishers and authors. The journal's completion will be archived on the 7th of January 2012 and share biological data with international databasing initiatives.
The International Botanical Congress approves new rules allowing electronic publication and English translations for plant species names, facilitating faster discovery and conservation. This change aims to accelerate the process of documenting biological diversity before it is lost due to environmental issues.
A study by the Missouri Botanical Garden found that over 24% of water extracts and 76% of alcoholic extracts from Peruvian medicinal plant species contained elevated toxicity levels. This highlights the need for proper preparation methods to account for varying toxicity levels in traditional remedies.
A NYBG scientist estimates that at least 540 to 653 new drugs could be discovered from plants, with potentially thousands more waiting to be evaluated. This analysis highlights the potential value of continuing to screen plants for novel bioactive compounds.
A molecular phylogeny study reveals three Mediterranean species as a separate evolutionary line, sister group to all remaining Delphinieae. The genus Staphisagria has been resurrected for these species, which share traits not found in Delphinium or Aconitum.
Researchers found a 100-fold weakening in coastal ecosystems' ability to sequester carbon since European settlement, coinciding with industrial expansion and nitrogen deposition. Estuaries, natural global carbon sinks, are at risk of diminishing their ability to mitigate climate change.
A new study found that the evolutionary shaping of floral scents in oil-secreting orchids is more closely tied to their genetic history than to natural selection driven by specific pollinators. Researchers discovered that scent profiles fell along phylogenetic lines, even when different bee species were involved.
Researchers at UC Riverside and the University of Nottingham have discovered how plants sense low oxygen levels to survive flooding. They found that key plant proteins become unstable when oxygen is normal but stable when oxygen levels drop, allowing plants to tap into their energy reserves and survive in low-oxygen conditions.
The Murcian flower has been studied in detail for the first time in nearly a century. Researchers have found that it is critically endangered due to low reproductive success and high mortality rates during the seedling stage. A restoration plan is underway to preserve this unique species.
Perennial crops retain significant genetic variation, closer to their wild counterparts than annuals. Long-lived species have fewer sexual cycles due to clonal propagation, resulting in lower genetic change.
The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants is set to undergo significant changes allowing scientists to publish new species discoveries entirely online. This shift aims to increase the efficiency and accessibility of scientific research in the digital age.
China's existing protected areas are failing to conserve wild plants, which could be valuable sources of future crops and medicine. The country should develop accurate data on threats to its plant species and create well-enforced reserves in appropriate areas.
New research reveals that birds pollinate Babiana plants with specialized perches, and these perches can be smaller or larger depending on geographical location. This unique adaptation allows the plant to adopt different mating strategies depending on the availability of sunbird pollinators.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that E. coli and Salmonella can survive inside plant tissues, rendering exterior sanitization ineffective. The pathogens were detected in every major tissue of the plants, including those transporting nutrients. Cooking foods to known temperatures eliminates these bacteria from inner tissues.
A University of Oklahoma-led research team has received a $1.28 million grant to improve the efficiency of biofuel production from switchgrass plants. The project aims to identify genetic variations associated with superior conversion qualities and test their correlation in independent populations.
Recent research investigates the effects of invasive velvetgrass on a native daisy, revealing direct competition as a key mechanism. The study found that removing invasive species can alter soil communities, leading to lingering negative impacts on native plants.
Breeding crops with deeper and bushier root systems could double the amount of carbon captured from the environment, potentially reducing CO2 levels. This approach could also improve soil structure and water retention while enhancing sustainable plant yields.
Research by Thomas Marler and Karl Niklas examines environment's influence on Guam cycad reproduction, finding wind's role in seed production is less crucial than initially thought. The study suggests insects play a more significant role in pollination, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect the endangered species.
A study by Rice University biologist Evan Siemann and colleagues found that the invasive Chinese tallow tree was not introduced to the US by Ben Franklin. The genetic evidence suggests that the trees originated from eastern China, with a faster growth rate in the US than their Chinese counterparts.
A study published in PhytoKeys has sorted out the names of three Australian Cucurbitaceae species collected in 1856, which are distinct from each other and one is closest to the honeymelon. Molecular data link herbarium science with molecular results to resolve economically important group identities.
A new species of pearl-flowered legume, Psoralea margaretiflora, has been discovered in the Sneeuberg Centre of Floristic Endemism in South Africa. This discovery highlights the importance of exploring the poorly explored Great Escarpment in southern Africa.
A study published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports found that many tea and herbal products contain unlisted ingredients, including weeds and plants from various families. The research used DNA barcoding technology to identify unknown species in 70 tea products and 60 herbal products, revealing a total of 25 unexpected ingredients.
Soil microbes release more methane and nitrous oxide when atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, counteracting the cooling effects of plant growth. This feedback loop suggests that nature is not as efficient in slowing global warming as previously thought.
A Purdue University study found that four popular fungicides have lost effectiveness against apple scab in Indiana and Michigan. The fungus has developed resistance, making it difficult for growers to manage their orchards without using older, more expensive fungicides.
Researchers found that fully photosynthetic orchids associate with specific fungal clades, not shared with other sympatric orchids, and depend on their symbionts for nutrition. The study used stable isotope analysis to assess how much of the organic carbon and nitrogen in orchid tissue was acquired from their fungal partners.
Susan R. Wessler, a distinguished professor of genetics at the University of California, Riverside, has been awarded the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Excellence in Science Award. She is internationally recognized for her work on plant genome structure and stability.
A study found that female plants can control which pollen grains reach their ovules by delaying stigma receptivity, resulting in increased paternal diversity and seed production. This mechanism enhances offspring fitness in the annual herb Collinsia.
A recent study published in Phytopathology reveals that fungicide applications on corn are unlikely to produce yield increases unless fungal diseases are present. Farmers should weigh the cost of treatments against potential benefits and consider the price of corn when making decisions.
Researchers identified three groups of genes required for extensin production, crucial for root hair growth and nutrient uptake. The study sheds light on the assembly of plant cell wall components regulating growth, with potential applications for sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Researchers found that Hessian flies can trigger strong defenses in wheat plants, causing them to release essential nutrients to the insects. However, avirulent larvae can sometimes survive by reversing these defenses, potentially extending the durability of resistance.
Researchers found that root grafting between individual jack pine trees increased radial growth rates and allowed for the sharing of resources such as water, photosynthates, and nutrients. This cooperative behavior challenges the traditional view of trees as competitors and suggests a new strategy for tree interactions.
A study on Miscanthus species reveals their potential as high-yield energy crops capable of growing on marginal land. The authors found that wild populations have genetic variation and adaptation that could provide valuable resources for the development of bioenergy crops.
Researchers discovered that seeds from cones on the forest floor of lodgepole pines can provide a viable seed bank after mountain pine beetle outbreaks, with high germination capacity. However, germination capacity decreases over time, highlighting the need for fire to trigger regeneration.
A study found that earlier springs can enhance xylem growth in black spruce, but colder summers can negate this effect. The research suggests that the amplitude of summer warming temperatures plays a crucial role in wood production.
The Kunming Institute of Botany, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Springer are launching a new fully sponsored open access journal called Natural Products and Bioprospecting. This journal aims to serve as an international forum for essential research on natural products and their applications.
The sequencing of the Selaginella genome provides a unique insight into plant evolution, revealing new genetic mechanisms and potential sources for pharmaceuticals. By comparing this genome with others, researchers have identified genes that played important roles in the early evolution of vascular and flowering plants.
Scientists have discovered a new plant fossil that sheds light on the phylogenetic age and ecology of the horsetail plant genus Equisetum. The fossil, dated to 150 million years ago, reveals that the genus has maintained its successful set of tools for extreme environments over millions of years.
Louis Santiago, a UC Riverside botanist, has received the USDA E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship to support his work in encouraging Hispanic students to pursue research. He aims to establish grants and partnerships that will provide opportunities for students like Fortino Morales and Jeffrey Ambriz to work on state and federal levels.
The new citrus variety KinnowLS developed at UC Riverside is extremely sweet, juicy, and visually appealing, with only 2-3 seeds per fruit. This breakthrough variety has the potential to revolutionize citrus production in India and Pakistan, where it can be grown in hot climates.
A meta-analysis found that invasive plant species cause large losses in biodiversity at small scales but have a negligible impact at broader scales. This contradicts the common view of invasive plants as major threats to native biodiversity. The study suggests that the effect of invasive plants on native species extinctions decreases w...
USDA scientists have discovered a previously unknown population of American elms that carry genes for resistance to Dutch elm disease. The diploid trees were found in the wild and may hold the key to combating the disease, which has killed millions of trees since its arrival in the US in 1931.
Major lineages of flowering plants began to rapidly diversify after reaching a point of development that maximized speciation success. The researchers compiled the largest plant phylogeny to date, involving 55,473 species of angiosperms.
A recent census led by Robert Lücking documented 432 different lichens within one square kilometer of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, including 18 never before identified and nearly 100 previously not known from North America. The discovery highlights the remarkable biodiversity of lichens in this tropical environment.
Researchers have discovered that the orchid Satyrium pumilum uses carrion mimicry to attract specific species of flies for pollination. The study found that only female flesh-flies were attracted to the orchids, and that scent plays a crucial role in guiding them into the right position to pick up pollen.
Biodiversity research highlights the importance of conserving rare and endangered plant species, as well as understanding patterns of species diversity in aquatic and terrestrial systems. New analyses suggest that modern ecosystems are a product of past events, with implications for present environmental conditions and future directions.
A comprehensive analysis of 574 field and laboratory studies reveals that plant communities with many species are nearly 1.5 times more productive than those with only one species. This suggests that biodiversity is essential for maintaining the functioning of ecosystems, particularly in estuaries like Chesapeake Bay.
A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
Researchers found that flood-tolerant rice plants with the Sub1A gene not only survive flooding but also recover well from drought, growing new shoots. This breakthrough could greatly benefit rice growers and consumers globally.