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Complex carbohydrate found to regulate plant growth

Scientists have discovered that a complex carbohydrate, RG-II, plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth by forming a network in the cell wall matrix through boron cross-links. The ability of RG-II to cross-link with boron enables normal plant expansion and prevents dwarfing in mutants without sufficient boron or fucose.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2001

(Blue) Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

Researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science have isolated the protein that responds to UV-A/blue light, a crucial step in understanding plant growth and development. The discovery of NPH1 as the photoreceptor for phototropism has significant implications for agricultural research and future studies on plant development.

By Revving Up Key Gene, Researchers Discover They Can Manipulate The Size Of Cells In Plants

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have discovered that over-expressing a special gene in tobacco plants can manipulate the size of individual cells, resulting in smaller plant crops more resistant to dry or wet conditions. This breakthrough could lead to controlled wood cell sizes for various applications.