A new approach detects shifts in genetic diversity when crops hybridize with wild plants, highlighting the risk of losing rare alleles and altering evolutionary trajectories. This method could improve conservation efforts by identifying areas where crop gene escape is most prevalent.
The American Journal of Botany Special Issue delves into the latest research on pollen performance, revealing its complex interactions with female tissues, pollinators, and other processes. The studies shed new light on pollen structure, function, and fitness, highlighting its crucial role in plant reproduction.
Researchers warn about the limitations of microsatellites in genetic diversity studies, highlighting the importance of sequencing flanking regions to minimize homoplasy. The study's findings suggest that using markers designed for a different species can lead to inaccurate conclusions.
Researchers investigate how plants respond to environmental changes and geographical variation, shedding light on their potential for evolution and adaptability. The study aims to improve predictions of selective pressures and failures for wild plants through comparative studies and genetic analysis.
Researchers used cactus species to test whether regions variable across closely related species show predictable intraspecific variability. The study found that rate-heterogeneity poses a practical challenge for researchers, and screening steps are necessary to discover regions of the genome with sufficient variability.
Researchers have discovered that lasers can improve the penetration of antibiotic treatments into citrus leaves, potentially offering a new approach to treating the deadly citrus greening disease. The method uses laser etching to create microscopic indentations in the leaf tissue, allowing for more effective delivery of substances.
Volatile organic compounds protect plants from stress, attract insects for pollination and seed dispersal, and send warning signs to neighbor plants and animals. Plant VOC emissions contribute significantly to the atmosphere, emitting approximately 600 million tons of carbon annually.
Researchers used DNA sequencing and a supercomputer to analyze pollen from beehives, identifying key plants bees rely on. The multi-locus metabarcoding approach provides quantitative measurements of plant proportions, helping to enhance landscapes and sustain robust bee populations.
Researchers developed a strategy to recover plastid sequences from nuclear DNA in plants. This allows for the assembly of complete chloroplast genomes, providing valuable information about evolutionary relationships and plant processes linked to environmental changes.
A new set of workflow modules facilitates imaging and data transcription for thousands of plant specimens, providing a searchable online database. The modules are designed to unify digitization projects across the nation and include methods for public participation in imaging and data transcription.
Scientists have developed a technique to capture rapidly evolving intronic regions of the genome, increasing knowledge of evolution in difficult groups. The new method resolved evolutionary relationships between closely related Heuchera species, previously impossible to infer.
A recent study investigates multiple phylogenetic diversity metrics and discusses their role in preserving biodiversity. The study highlights the challenges of calculating these metrics due to data availability, but also notes that as more sequence data are generated, accurate calculations will become increasingly routine.
A study highlights the importance of coupling natural history collections with next-generation sequencing to obtain large molecular data sets for species-rich groups. Large genomic data sets are becoming increasingly obtainable, but the bottleneck shifts to the number of species and individuals that can be included in the study.
Researchers developed modified protocols to extract high-quality RNA from diverse plant species, overcoming challenges caused by secondary metabolites. The methods combine TRIzol reagent, TURBO DNA-free kit, and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (sarkosyl) for improved extraction success.
Researchers developed an optical sectioning–3D reconstruction method using compound fluorescence light microscopes to image plant cells without damaging them. This approach allows for bulk processing of samples, clear imaging months after collection, and higher resolution than SEM.
A new open-source software program named MarkerMiner facilitates identification of genes for elucidating evolutionary relationships between flowering plants. The software helps researchers discover genes useful for inferring evolutionary patterns by comparing genes across superficially similar plants.
Researchers developed a strategy to identify and genotype SNPs in complex cotton genomes using genotyping-by-sequencing. The approach employs Stacks software to enrich for orthologous DNA fragments, allowing for detection of polymorphisms between individuals.
Researchers have developed a new protocol to study clonal patterns in coast redwood clones, which could help forest management and preservation efforts. The method uses short repeating DNA sequences to identify distinct clones and has been tested on 770 coast redwoods.
The study identified nearly 3,000 genetic markers that will help researchers investigate the genetic variation within and between different species. The new data will enable scientists to uncover why certain legume crops succeed where others fail.
Researchers have developed a detailed positional cloning protocol to locate genes within the large and complex maize genome. This technique allows for the identification of genetic markers linked to specific traits, enabling precise localization of candidate regions until the gene is identified.
A new pipeline combines multiple gene-finding tools to identify genetic markers for phylogenetic study from limited genomic data. The approach, MAKER2, was used to develop loci useful for phylogenetic study in the flowering plant genus Penstemon.
A research team developed a new method using DNA metabarcoding to analyze pollen and uncovered the secret life of bees. This technique identified twice as many plant families than microscopic analysis and provided deeper insights into bee foraging behavior.
Researchers found that fragmented chloroplast DNA sequences, known as cpSSRs, are still widely used to study plant genetics. The number of studies using cpSSRs has doubled in the past decade.
Scientists have developed a new method to isolate plant nuclear DNA from organellar DNA using the human methyl-binding domain. This approach enables rapid and simple separation of genome sequences, reducing wasted data and increasing efficiency in genomic studies.
A new, inexpensive tidal simulator allows researchers to study the effects of added nutrients and salt on salt marsh plant growth in a controlled setting. The device enables the investigation of tidal marsh plant growth with minimal space and cost, opening new doors for wetland research.
A special issue of the American Journal of Botany highlights the importance of basic plant science for pressing global issues like applied agriculture. Research fields include plant ecology, evolution, and phylogenetics, which provide tools for cultivated plant production and sustainable agriculture.
A new DNA isolation technique using MagnaCel paramagnetic cellulose particles has been shown to improve the quality and quantity of DNA extractions across a wide range of flowering plants. This method outperformed traditional techniques like CTAB and DNeasy, providing an average of twice the DNA yield and more consistent DNA purity.
Recent advancements reveal polyploidy's ubiquitous nature, facilitating instant speciation and increasing biodiversity. Genome doubling is now recognized as a crucial evolutionary force, especially in plant lineages.
A team of scientists used the Hyb-Seq method to sequence hundreds of nuclear loci and plastomes from milkweeds, providing a significant advance over previous methods. This approach combines target enrichment and genome skimming to reduce genomic complexity and increase sequencing efficiency.
The special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores bioinformatic methods to analyze plant morphology. Researchers successfully applied automated classification and identification techniques, geometric morphometrics, and skeleton networks to examine plant form.
SRAP markers exhibit high variability and are less technically demanding than traditional methods, making them suitable for various research fields including plant systematics, biogeography, conservation, and ecology. The new study suggests that these markers will be useful when paired with next-generation sequencing technologies.
Researchers developed Easy Leaf Area to accurately measure leaf area from digital images in seconds, essential for estimating crop yields and plant growth. The software can process hundreds of images and save results to a spreadsheet-ready CSV file.
Biologists at MTSU have optimized FIB-SEM technology to image plant cell architecture, revealing previously unseen aspects of organelle organization and function. The technology provides high-resolution images of plant cells, allowing researchers to explore new questions and expand their understanding of plant development.
Recent research emphasizes the significance of gene flow in plant populations, counteracting forces of mutation, genetic drift, and selection. Gene flow between populations can be surprisingly far-reaching, even among stationary individuals, with some studies detecting alleles from hundreds to thousands of meters away.
A new study revisits the evolution of pollen development in flowering plants, finding that both bi- and tricellular lineages gave rise to each other, debunking the long-standing assumption of one-way evolution. Tricellular lineages are slower-evolving but still advantageous in certain lifestyles.
A new method for genotyping pine species has been developed using simple sequence repeats, allowing for efficient and cost-effective population-level studies. The technique was tested on over 900 individuals across 100 species, revealing six markers that are particularly useful for understanding genetic structure within ponderosa pine.
Researchers develop a new ISH method, called RNAscope ISH, for rapid and sensitive localization of mRNA molecules in plant tissues. This approach is faster and highly sensitive than traditional methods, allowing for precise quantification of gene expression.
A new study by David W. Taylor and Gregory J. Anderson found that consumers are willing to pay more for culturally significant crops, highlighting the importance of 'Culinary Cultural Conservation.' The research also identified key food groups, such as viandas, which are essential to recreating a sense of home.
The American Journal of Botany celebrates its centennial anniversary, tracing the journal's founding to socio-politics, personalities, and institutions. The journal has remained at the forefront of botanical research, with F.C. Newcombe playing a crucial role in its establishment.
Recent research on serpentine ecosystems sheds light on the mechanisms of adaptation, natural selection, and endemism. Kruckeberg's seminal paper (1951) has influenced subsequent research on local adaptation, evolutionary pathways, and climate-soil relationships.
Researchers developed a compact and inexpensive system to produce smoke solutions for seed germination studies. The new apparatus increases the concentration of smoke compounds and allows for greater control over variables, enabling researchers to distinguish the effects of smoke compounds from other additives.
A new formula to calculate hue has been developed, providing accurate results for color analysis in biological studies. This improvement is crucial for research involving flower and fruit development, plant nutrient deficiencies, and responses to heat and drought stress.
A new approach allows for the sequencing of hundreds of nuclear genes across members of the Compositae, enabling better-resolution phylogenetic relationships and addressing evolutionary questions about the family. The method, termed target sequence capture, has been successfully tested using 14 species from the sunflower family.
A new protocol allows researchers to investigate feeding patterns and detect plant DNA in grasshoppers, providing insights into insect-plant interactions. The method enables tracking of plant food movement during consumption and can be completed in under three hours.
Multicellularity has evolved in at least 25 plant and animal lineages, with different developmental pathways and mechanisms. The critical point is that natural selection acts on functional traits, allowing for multiple evolutions of multicellular organisms via various cellular biology aspects.
A South American tree species, Embothrium coccineum, has adapted to form cluster roots to access limited phosphorus in volcanic soils. Cluster root formation is stimulated by low soil nitrogen levels, enabling small seedlings to maintain adequate foliar P levels.
Researchers have developed a new approach using long-range PCR and next-generation sequencing to obtain large phylogenomic data sets, increasing accuracy in reconstructing evolutionary history. This method allows for the amplification of larger DNA fragments, enabling the targeting of specific genomic regions.
Researchers found that desert winter annuals outperform each other based on their water use efficiency and growth rate. In wet environments, plants with higher water-use efficiency thrive, while those with faster growth rates dominate in dry years.
A new RNA extraction protocol for land plants has been developed, allowing for the extraction of high-quality RNA from a wide variety of plant species and tissue types. This protocol will greatly facilitate RNA-based studies of non-model plant species and enable comparative analyses of transcriptomes across diverse lineages.
A new study by Carole Gee integrates visualization techniques to examine ancient fossils, providing a nondestructive method for studying fossil conifer seed cones up to 150 million years old. The technique uses microCT and 3D image segmentation, allowing researchers to visualize internal structures without damaging the specimens.