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.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are part of a £7 million research programme to increase wheat diversity and boost yield, addressing climate change and environmental concerns. The project aims to develop new high-yielding varieties adapted to global warming and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of the Blackleg fungus, revealing unique compartmentalisation and genetic diversity that enables it to cause devastating disease in canola crops. This discovery will aid in developing molecular markers to predict disease outbreaks and inform crop protection strategies.
Researchers have discovered two new plant species, Taraxacum decastroi and Taraxacum lacianense, which join over 50 other species within the Taraxacum genus on the Iberian Peninsula. The discovery confirms Spain's position as a hotbed of biodiversity.
A team of UCR researchers will study mosquito genome sequences to identify 'transposable elements' that play a vital role in gene and genome evolution. The goal is to understand how mosquitoes adapt to their environment and potentially develop new genetic tools to control disease vectors.
Researchers have uncovered the efficient survival mechanisms of Oxyrrhis marina, a microscopic dinoflagellate that can harness energy from light and digest prey with acquired genes. The study shows that this unique organism has picked up a gene for photosynthesis from its bacterial prey.
Researchers discovered that filaree seeds have a spring mechanism that stores energy in their dry awns, which act as springs to launch the seeds by up to 0.5m. This unique mechanism allows the seeds to drill into the ground and germinate, contributing to the plant's success.
Researchers found that bee-pollinated Penstemon species have distinct genetic clusters per mountain range, while bird-pollinated species show less genetic structure across ranges. Hummingbirds facilitate gene flow among distant populations, constraining local adaptations.
The University of California, Riverside has developed a seedless mandarin variety called Tango, which is virtually free from seeds and diseases. The fruit, created through an induced mutation process, boasts a deep orange color and tangy-sweet flavor.
Researchers found distinct genetic patterns in eastern and western jack pine populations, suggesting an isolated coastal refugium along the Atlantic coast during the Last Glacial Maximum. This discovery sheds light on how glaciers impacted present-day pine genetics and potentially influenced the distribution of other boreal species.
A study published in American Journal of Botany found that cacti like Ariocarpus fissuratus use root contraction to move deeper into the soil and escape high temperatures. While this method helped protect plants growing in rocky soils, it was not enough to prevent death in sandy soils
A recent study by Dr. Nan Yao and his team found that carbon nanotubes induced programmed cell death in plant cells, with the effect being dosage-dependent. The researchers discovered that only single-wall carbon nanotubes caused cell damage, while other types of particles did not.
Researchers studied the mechanical properties of explosive seed dispersal in Cardamine parviflora, finding that the catapulting mechanism can transfer up to 20% of stored energy to kinetic energy. However, the process is unreliable, with most seeds falling to the ground.
Researchers investigated how GMO gene flow impacts sorghum-shattercane wild-crop hybrids. The study found that the hybrids outperformed their parents in terms of growth and competitiveness, but produced fewer seeds.
Researchers will investigate microbial community diversity, structure, and responses to climate change in two ecosystems. The studies could inform U.S. policy on climate change and advance the field of microbial ecology.
A scientific risk assessment examined Poplar's introduction for biofuel production, revealing hybridization patterns with native populations. The study found complex interbreeding and genetic shift in native species, highlighting the need for monitoring and regulatory guidelines.
A University of Oklahoma research team will explore the biological stability of current and next-generation fuels, measuring their impact on biocorrosion activity. The five-year total grant aims to provide a scientific basis for assessing alternate fuels and mitigating fuel biodeterioration and biocorrosion problems.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute have identified synthetic compounds that can mimic the effects of plant hormone abscisic acid, helping plants retain water during drought. These findings could lead to sprays that use a plant's natural defenses to improve drought tolerance and combat global food shortages.
Research by Dr. Carlos Herrera found that withered petals form a protective barrier around seeds, preventing insect damage and increasing seed ripening rates in lavender. However, the role of petals in plant fertility is complex and requires further study.
Researchers led by UBC Prof. Patrick Keeling discovered a closely related parasite, E. intestinalis, with a 20% smaller genome than E. cuniculi, shedding hundreds of genes from its ends. The 'haircut' reveals insights into extreme genome evolution under specific conditions.
New research reveals that early plants overcame an evolutionary hurdle by utilizing sugars from the environment, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for global carbon cycling models, suggesting a more complex role for mixotrophy in plant growth and development.
A new study found that ants play a crucial role in protecting tree cover in East African savannas from elephants. The researchers discovered that swarming groups of ants can repel elephants, preventing extensive damage to trees.
A team led by Fabiola Parra has successfully traced the domesticated Gray Ghost Organ Pipe (Stenocereus pruinosus) to its living ancestral species in Mexico's Tehuacán Valley. Genetic analysis reveals evidence of artificial selection, increasing genetic diversity among cacti grown using traditional methods.
Research reveals that carnivorous plants like sundews prioritize pollination over insect safety, with taller flowers attracting more visitors. A study of two sundew species found that longer stems increased flower visits by ten times compared to shorter ones.
Researchers discovered that certain flowers produce heat as a reward to pollinators, which develop larvae in the spent flowers. This finding suggests a novel role for flower heating in plant-pollinator mutualism.
A new study challenges the long-held critical depth hypothesis, which suggests that phytoplankton bloom in temperate oceans due to improving light conditions. Instead, researchers found that winter storms play a key role in creating blooms, and warmer ocean temperatures may actually curtail productivity.
Researchers found that ferns in the northern end of the redwood forest ecosystem are better equipped to absorb fog water than those in the southern region. This has important implications for the structure of plant communities and how ecosystems function during drought periods. The study suggests that native ferns may be able to acclim...
Researchers found that a new apple variety, Grand Gala, grows larger due to endoreduplication, where cells make copies of DNA but don't divide. The apples are about 38% heavier and have a diameter 15% larger than regular Galas.
Alana Oldham and colleagues found that water stress, due to gravity's effect on the water column, drives leaf anatomy and morphology in redwoods. This reduces photosynthesis in the upper canopy, but increases water-stress tolerance traits below.
A new study found that wealth and population density are the primary factors driving invasive species in Europe, surpassing climate and geography. Human activities like trade and travel have led to a surge in introduced species, causing ecosystem disruption and native species displacement.
Researchers found that carnivores can track yearly differences in rowan fruit abundance and prefer the most productive trees. They also helped disperse seeds by picking up fallen fruit, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between carnivorous mammals and plants.
Scientists have isolated a gene that allows Pteris vittata ferns to tolerate high levels of arsenic, a toxic metal. This gene enables the plant to accumulate and store arsenic in its fronds, effectively cleaning up contaminated soils and waters.
A new study by UBC researchers has definitively linked the evolutionary histories of malaria and dinoflagellate algae through the genome of Chromera, a symbiotic coral organism. The discovery resolves a long-standing scientific debate and could provide crucial information for tackling diseases.
Scientists found that reforestation can decrease the ability of forests to combat climate change by reducing carbon stock. The study suggests implementing forest management practices, such as site preparation without burning, to minimize negative effects on ecosystems.
The Polygala balansae, a thorny bush up to 1.5m high, has only one population in Spain, found on 1,920m2 Mediterranean scrubland. It is threatened by habitat fragmentation, human settlement, and biological problems due to low reproductive individuals.
Researchers have discovered that Darwin's work on heterostylous flowers, a complex breeding system found in flowering plants, has significant economic implications. The study highlights the unique characteristics of heterostyly, which affects plant morphology, ecology, and evolution.
Scientists investigated the evolution of grasses by sequencing the chloroplast DNA of Anomochloa, a small genus diverging from other grasses. The study found unique and mixed features in its chloroplast genome, questioning the classification of Anomochloa as a grass.
A study on trembling aspen found that phenolic glycosides and extrafloral nectaries are distributed together in the same leaves, contradicting previous assumptions. The presence of extrafloral nectaries is positively correlated with higher levels of chemical defenses, suggesting a complex relationship between these defense mechanisms.
Researchers found that dehydrin proteins play a key role in helping plants like the resurrection fern survive up to 95% water loss, allowing water to act as a lubricant between cell walls. This discovery could lead to developing drought-resistant crops by localizing and transferring the dehydrin gene.
A new study confirms that early angiosperms were fast-growing and weedy, with leaf lifespans of less than 12 months. The research used fossil plant morphology to estimate life history strategies, suggesting that this growth pattern was common among plants 100 million years ago.
Researchers used electron microscopy to observe Xylella fastidiosa bacteria breaking down plant cell walls, weakening and killing grape plants. The study aims to understand the disease's progression and develop prevention strategies.
Researchers found that goldenrod plants with nodding stems resist gall-inducing flies and are more resistant to egg-laying, while straightened stems offer no advantage. The 'ducking' behavior is a gradual growth response that confers resistance against insect attacks.
A single layer of cells controls leaf size, with epidermal cells influencing overall size and cell division rates. Epidermal cells also affect the number of cells produced in the mesophyll layer.
The new genome sequence will aid in the development of improved varieties of wheat, oats, and barley, as well as switchgrass for biofuel production. The genome information is freely available to researchers worldwide, providing a valuable model for studying grasses.
A recent study resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding the giant fossil Prototaxites. Researchers propose that these ancient organisms were mixotrophic liverworts associated with fungi and cyanobacteria. The findings support previous hypotheses that microbial associations and mixotrophy are ancient plant traits.
Early life likely arose from gases and geochemical gradients at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, rather than a primordial soup, according to new research. This alternative theory proposes that the first cells harnessed these energy sources to generate ATP through chemiosmosis.