A recent study found that introducing new genes from distant populations to damaged ecosystems can have negative consequences on native populations. However, the introduction of genes from nearby, contrasting environments can lead to poorer seedling performance and reduced fitness over time.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Botany explores the origins of New Zealand's flora. The research reveals that two ancient plant fossils from the Late Oligocene/Early Miocene period (28-15 mya) indicate a younger history for most groups of plants in the region.
A recent study by Cornell University scientists reveals that trees have evolved to maximize photosynthetic capacity through a decrease in specific leaf area as they increase in size. This change is attributed to a developmental shift towards short-shoots, which produce leaves with smaller specific leaf areas than long-shoots.
A researcher has used motion-sensitive night cameras to capture the first known instance of a cricket functioning as an orchid pollinator. The 'raspy' cricket is also entirely new to science and has been found to be a surprisingly efficient pollinator, with higher rates of pollination and fruit set in certain orchid species.
A group of US plant pathologists came together in Boston in 1909 to discuss plant problems and establish a new field of science. Their efforts led to significant progress in diagnosing and controlling plant diseases, benefiting the US agriculture industry.
Researchers explore the development and morphology of insect-mimicking spots on the flower petals of a South African beetle daisy. The study found that these spots are composed of three types of epidermal cells, each spanning four fused petal lobes, and are influenced by UV reflectivity and anthocyanin pigment.
The American Journal of Botany presents two papers exploring botanical history before Darwin, his research on plant movements and orchids. Research reveals that Darwin's ideas on plant movements contributed to the discovery of auxin, a hormone essential in plant growth processes.
A rare woodland plant, Monotropsis odorata, has evolved 'cryptic coloration' as a defense mechanism to avoid herbivores. The plant's bracts function as camouflage, making it blend in with its surroundings, which increases its fitness and survival rate.
Researchers found that certain wild flax plants growing in poor soils can balance stress and reduce the risk of infection from a fungal pathogen. This suggests that stressful environments may be attractive to plants, providing a refuge from pathogens, but requiring adaptation to survive.
A study by McMaster University reveals that plants prefer to share space with their own kind but divert resources towards leaves when paired with non-kin. This complex behavior allows siblings to access sunlight and compete more effectively for limited resources.
Researchers found that Impatiens pallida, also known as yellow jewelweed, can recognize its relatives and adjust its resource allocation accordingly. The plant responds differently to aboveground cues depending on whether it's competing with a relative or a stranger.
A fossil plant discovery by Peter Wilf and colleagues has reassigned the species Libocedrus prechilensis to Papuacedrus, indicating that Patagonia was once a warm, wet tropical place. This find also establishes a connection between tropical West Pacific regions and Australia via a forested Antarctic land bridge during the Eocene.
A recent study found that female plants are more likely to be colonized by mycorrhizal fungi than male plants, leading to a shift in population dynamics. This sex-specific interaction may contribute to the spatial segregation of males and females in certain plant species.
Researchers find that removing fruit from 'Pixie' mandarin trees reduces floral intensity of return bloom by inhibiting budbreak. Growers can investigate degrees of fruit thinning or pruning to mitigate alternate bearing, which is exacerbated by holding fruit on the tree to extend commercial harvest period.
Researchers Lawrence Weider and Amy V. Callaghan will investigate how aquatic organisms cope with drastic environmental changes caused by nutrient pollution. The study targets lakes in Canada and Minnesota, where Daphnia diapausing eggs have remained dormant for over 50 years.
Researchers explored how gene flow between cultivated sorghum and its weedy relatives impacts crop yields and diversity. Farmers in northern Cameroon actively limit gene flow through practices like eradicating weeds, but some unintentional practices still favor genetic exchange.
Researchers studied tree stomatal density, guard cell length, and water use efficiency in 27 trees over a century. They found stomatal density declined while guard cell length increased, but intrinsic water use efficiency remained unchanged.
Dr. Marina Dermastia and colleagues discovered similarities between maize and teosinte kernel development, overturning previous assumptions about domestication. The team found traits like programmed cell death, sugar flow control, and endoreduplication that are common to both crops, suggesting they evolved independently.
University of Minnesota researchers identified genes producing THC, a psychoactive substance in marijuana, to create a drug-free Cannabis plant for hemp fiber and oil. The study also aims to develop new pain and nausea treatments.
Researchers found that carnivorous plant traps are cheaper to make than leaves, contrary to evolutionary predictions. This discovery sheds light on how complete food webs operate, highlighting the benefits and trade-offs of nutrient allocation in plant ecology.
Researchers studied polyploidy's effects on cell division in plants, finding that some cells can tolerate aneuploidy without detrimental consequences. The study provides new insights into how genetic changes can lead to evolutionary change and affect plant fitness.
Researchers at UC Riverside will advance their work on sequencing the barley genome and breeding new barley varieties with a two-year $1 million grant. They aim to sequence all barley genes and make information available to the public, with potential benefits for farmers, markets, and consumers.
Flowering plants adapted anatomically to succeed, perfecting conducting systems with design flexibility and rapid adaptation capabilities. They retained juvenile tendencies, inventing new forms and wood patterns, giving them a competitive advantage over conifers.
Plant biologists are key players in advancing scientific literacy, and recent research highlights the importance of teaching inquiry methods, raising public awareness of science, and creating an accessible reference for teachers. By working together, scientists can build a more receptive audience and enhance capacity to change the future.
The American Phytopathological Society recognized outstanding contributions to plant pathology with its 2009 awards. The APS Fellow class of 2009 includes prominent researchers and educators from around the world. Notable winners include Anne E. Dorrance, Charles Mellinger, H. David Shew, and Richard A. Sikora.
Researchers find novel cyanobacterial lineage in lichens, with implications for ecosystem research and the study of symbiotic relationships. The discovery suggests that photobionts are selected based on their compatibility with mycobionts, leading to an increase in certain strains.
A new algorithm, SERA, explores plant community dynamics and predicts changes due to environmental factors like climate change and invasive species. The model shows agreement with empirical data on trends in plant growth and development.
NOAA will participate in a private research expedition to study the impact of the USS Monitor wreck on local marine life. The survey will examine species such as fish, crustaceans, and coral, as well as lionfish, which may be harming the site's ecosystem.
Climbing plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to ascend walls and trellises, with various modes of attachment, including twining, leaf-climbing, tendril-bearers, root-climbers, and hook-climbers. These structures enable flexibility and withstand mechanical stresses, allowing vines to efficiently transport water and nutrients.
Research reveals that plant crystals play a crucial role in deterring herbivory and protecting against calcium oxalate poisoning. Different types of crystals perform distinct functions, such as creating a sensation of chewing sand or expelling microscopic darts from the plant tissue.
The University of California, Riverside has released a new mandarin citrus variety called DaisySL, which is sweet to eat and bears very few seeds. Developed by Mikeal Roose and Timothy Williams, the fruit is finely textured and juicy with a rich flavor, making it a promising addition to commercial production.
GeoChip, developed by OU researchers, analyzes microbial functions and has been selected for the 2009 R&D 100 Award. The award recognizes innovative technologies with promising commercial potential.
A Purdue University expert found that only five of 287 crabapple varieties had durable resistance to apple scab, a widespread fungus that can weaken and kill trees. Researchers analyzed 33 years of data to determine which trees maintained or lost resistance over time.
A recent study by Dr. David Spooner highlights the limitations of DNA barcoding in distinguishing species within complex plant groups, such as wild potatoes (Solanum section Petota). The technique's accuracy is compromised due to intraspecific variation and hybridization among species.
Researchers found that prairie dogs prefer plants with low levels of selenium, suggesting that high levels act as a deterrent. This suggests that plants may use metal hyperaccumulation to defend against herbivores, including prairie dogs.
Researchers uncover evidence that chiles were independently domesticated multiple times from geographically distant wild progenitors, resulting in unique gene pools and important reservoirs of genetic diversity. Domesticated individuals exhibit reduced genetic diversity compared to semiwild populations.
A new study reveals that decades of fragmentation have taken a toll on the sustainability of Wisconsin's forests, reducing native plant abundance and diversity. The effects of urbanization and agricultural dominance are now determining which species can survive in isolated forest patches.
Researchers have successfully measured marine phytoplankton physiology through satellite measurements of fluorescence, providing a reasonably accurate picture of the ocean's health and productivity. This will help evaluate the impact of global warming, climate change, and desertification on oceans.
A new synthetic chemical, pyrabactin, has been identified as a potential solution for crops facing drought. The compound activates the ABA signaling pathway, helping plants survive in water-scarce conditions. Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a stable and easy-to-make chemical strategy to improve plant resilience.
Olivier Voinnet's groundbreaking research on gene silencing via RNA has opened new perspectives on controlling gene activity, with implications for medicine and genome integrity. His work has also shed light on the molecular arms race between hosts and parasites.
The event reveals the fundamental connection between humans and plants, showcasing how plant toxins have led to effective medicines. The Festival of Social Science celebrates British social science research, with a focus on the often-overlooked role of plants in our daily lives.
Researchers at UCR identified all the genes expressed in plant stem cells, providing a global view of which genes are expressed and where within the shoot apical meristem. This discovery can help scientists develop better varieties of crops and understand why stem cells give rise to specialized cells.
Scientists from the US and Israel have discovered a new gene that provides resistance to stripe rust, a fungal disease responsible for significant wheat yield losses. The novel gene has been found in wild wheat and is absent in modern varieties, offering a potential solution to devastating disease outbreaks.
Research shows that coffee cultivation under shade trees can preserve forest plant and animal diversity in areas with deforestation. In contrast, growing coffee in forests leads to a decline in species richness of forest birds. This study highlights the importance of sustainable land use practices in conserving biodiversity.
The University of Oklahoma has received a $398,020 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve instruction in introductory biology courses. The AIBS will provide programmatic staffing and expertise in building an online communication network for the project.
Researchers have discovered lignin, a key component of wood, in marine algae, challenging the long-held assumption that it is unique to land plants. The finding provides a new perspective on the early evolution of support tissues and may affect how land plants are distinguished from aquatic algae.
An international team mapped alien plant invasions across Europe, finding highest risks in agricultural and urban ecosystems. The study revealed a consistent pattern of invasion levels across European regions, with low levels in natural grasslands and Mediterranean vegetation.
Research suggests that increased carbon dioxide levels due to climate change could lead to a greater accumulation of mercury in soils, potentially slowing its release into water. However, this means that even with reduced emissions, the metal will remain a pollution source for an extended period.
Researchers found that using two layers of cattail or rice straw mulch resulted in a 94-100% control of weeds and increased fruit yield. Natural mulches also reduced the need for synthetic herbicides, improving environmental benefits.
Purdue University researchers identified a role for small-interfering RNAs in regulating and shutting down primary cell wall growth, which may enhance total plant biomass. This discovery could lead to increased cellulose production for plant-based biofuels.
Julia Bailey-Serres and her collaborators have developed flood-tolerant rice varieties that can recover after prolonged submergence, improving crop yields in flood-prone areas. The new rice varieties, already passed field tests in Bangladesh and India, will be made available to smallholder farmers within two years.
Purdue University researchers are working on a new technique called MAGIC to identify gene combinations that increase disease resistance and stress tolerance in crops. By analyzing the genetic diversity of maize, they aim to engineer plants that can withstand most diseases and improve crop yields.
Darrel Jenerette, a UC Riverside landscape ecologist, investigates the moderating effects of vegetation on urban heat islands in Phoenix, Arizona. The research aims to guide policymakers and planners in bolstering protective measures against heat-related illnesses.
The Crop Science Society of America recognized six individuals for their outstanding contributions to crop science. Palle Pedersen received the ASA–CSSA–SSSA Early Career Professional Award for his work on soybean production problems. The award also went to Crystal Rose-Fricker, who developed cool-season turfgrasses with improved disea...
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University advocate for a science-based approach to address the environmental consequences of cellulosic ethanol production. They suggest exploring multiple species, such as native grasses and hay meadows, to create a stable and diverse biofuels industry.
Yale researchers have confirmed that plants with fast reproductive cycles exhibit more rapid rates of molecular evolution. Their study analyzed DNA sequence data for five major evolutionary lineages within flowering plants, revealing a clear pattern where shorter-lived species show greater variability in their rates of evolution.
Researchers excavated 12-ton soil monoliths in Oklahoma to study warming effects on grasslands. Warming by 4 degrees Celsius suppressed plant growth and land carbon absorption for two years.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified the biological clock genes responsible for plant growth spurts, which occur at night. The study uses DNA microarrays and bioinformatics to analyze thousands of genes in a short period, revealing that most plant genes are expressed only at a particular time of day.
A UC Riverside botanist is investigating how Southern California's plants affect the region's drought. The research aims to identify plant species most susceptible to drought and predict water evaporation from desert chaparral ecosystems.
Researchers have traced the origin of Tahitian vanilla to tropical forests of Guatemala, where it began as a pre-Columbian Maya cultivar. The team used genetic analysis to confirm that Tahitian vanilla is a hybrid offspring between two native species in Central America.