Hidden insect diversity in grass shoots threatened by mowing
Researchers identified 255 insect species in perennial grasses, but few in annual grasses, highlighting the importance of unmown refuges for biodiversity
Grasses
Articles tagged with Grasses
How intersections of race, education, and socioeconomic status may predict unequal greenspace exposure
A new study found that considering factors jointly can capture a more accurate representation of disparities in residential greenspace exposure, driven by structural racism. Exposure to trees and grass provides numerous benefits to physical and mental health, but inequities persist due to disinvestment in marginalized communities.
Wild grass offers new genetic clues to combat deadliest pathogen of wheat
Researchers have identified Aegilops cylindrica as a powerful genetic reservoir for resistance against the devastating fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The study reveals novel mechanisms of immune suppression by the pathogen and offers new insights into plant immunity.
Foxtail barley serves as a host for fungal pathogens attacking barley
Researchers found that foxtail barley can harbor several fungal pathogens, including those causing net blotch, spot blotch, stem rust, stripe rust, and crown rust. The fungus infected up to 100% of the evaluated accessions, with varying degrees of compatibility
Drought-resilient plant holds promise for future food production, study finds
Researchers at Colorado State University have demonstrated the reversal of embolism in a type of wild grass, which can recover from extended drought within 24 hours. This finding has significant implications for improving agricultural productivity and food security, as it could potentially be bred into crops to make them more resilient...
'What's wrong with my lawn?' Research points toward possible answer
A new article published in Crop Science journal provides comprehensive information on the disease's pathology, progression, and management of large patch, a fungal disease that can compromise turfgrass health. Effective management strategies include proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices.
600 million years of stress
A research team from Göttingen University has compared algae and plants that span 600 million years of independent evolution, identifying a shared stress response network. This comprehensive dataset can be further explored for its physiological impact across plant diversity.
Carbon sequestration in marshes depends on many variables
Researchers found that marsh grass productivity differs between tall and short forms, with taller plants capturing more CO2. The team measured photosynthesis, respiration, and biomass to understand how ecosystem variables impact carbon fixation.
New ‘Matchless’ grass variety yields high seed count without need for field burning
A new Kentucky bluegrass variety, 'Matchless', has been commercially released by Washington State University, offering higher yields and reduced environmental impact. The variety was bred to eliminate the need for field burning, a practice banned in Washington state due to air quality concerns.
Research contrasts drought sensitivity of Eurasian and North American grasslands
Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.
An inexpensive fix for California’s struggling wildflowers
A recent UC Riverside study found that raking dead grass can boost California's native wildflower diversity, reducing fire danger and increasing plant community changes. The simple, low-cost method of removing invasive grass layers allows native seeds to germinate and grow.
Can sown wildflowers compensate for cities’ lack of natural meadows to support pollinating insects?
A study in Warsaw, Poland found no difference in insect-pollinated plant composition or species richness between sown and natural meadows. However, natural meadows had twice the number of butterflies compared to sown meadows.
A new piece in the grass pea puzzle - updated genome sequence published
A new chromosome-scale reference genome of grass pea has been published, improving on earlier draft assemblies and offering potential for climate-smart agriculture. The updated genome allows for improved breeding and gene editing to develop varieties with improved agronomic characteristics or low toxin content.
Droughts’ impact on pasturelands is measured in order toguide extensive livestock management on Spain’s dehesas
A study on Spanish dehesas has developed a tool to model pastureland productivity and water stress, allowing for more efficient grazing management. During severe droughts, grass production can drop by up to 67%, with areas having limited slopes and moderate tree cover being the most productive.
How bread dough gave rise to civilization
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
Unraveling modern bread wheat from the genes up
A comprehensive set of genomic resources for Tausch's goatgrass has been established, shedding light on the evolutionary genetics of wheat. Researchers identified a stem rust resistance gene and a leaf rust resistance gene, which will aid in breeding more resilient wheat varieties.
Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in the Cerrado
A study by UNESP found that smoke from two concentrations stimulates germination in 32% of plant species, with some grasses growing faster. The results could aid restoration strategies for degraded areas and offer a competitive advantage to certain Cerrado species after fires.
Less productive yet more stable
Researchers found that low-intensity grasslands can withstand extreme weather conditions better than intensively used high-performance meadows. This is due to the diversity of native species, which thrive in less managed environments.
To save bees, scientists say focus on habitat first, then pesticides
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
New study adds to mystery of Cahokia exodus
A new study suggests that the Cahokia exodus may have been due to external pressures rather than crop failure, finding no evidence of widespread drought impact. Researchers believe the society had the engineering skills to maintain crops and a diverse diet, leading them to gradually disperse rather than abandon their land.
Biodiversity in the margins: Merging farmlands affects natural pest control
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
Unraveling the metabolic mysteries of turfgrass under heat stress
Researchers found that creeping bentgrass maintained higher turf quality and less damage under heat stress compared to annual bluegrass, which suffered more severe damage. The study identified specific metabolites linked to heat tolerance in these grasses.
Let widgeongrass be a weed in the seagrass yard -- making seagrass restoration more resistant to rising temperatures using generalist grasses
New research demonstrates that incorporating widgeongrass into seagrass restoration efforts can increase the portfolio of species diversity and enhance long-term success. The study found that seeding widgeongrass in the fall with minimal pre-treatment resulted in highest survival and growth rates.
Enhancing grassland sustainability: Strategies to delay leaf senescence in forage and turf grasses
Researchers explored strategies to slow down leaf aging in forage and turf grass species, highlighting the role of regulating leaf senescence. The review emphasizes the importance of genetic research to develop effective methods for delaying leaf senescence, potentially increasing biomass yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
Golfers’ risk from pesticides used on turfgrass is likely low, studies find
Researchers investigated golfers' potential risks from four common pesticides used on golf course turfgrass. They found that the HQ values from the golfers' exposure indicated little risk to the four pesticides used in this study, suggesting a low risk of adverse effects from exposure.
Study shows how to increase success rate of restoration initiatives in the Cerrado
A study by IB-UNICAMP researchers showed that restoring biodiverse ecosystems can prevent exotic grass invasion, which is hard to eradicate. The study found that higher plant diversity reduces invasion, likely due to competition for resources in the nutrient-poor soil.
Nutritional value of meat should be considered when comparing carbon footprints
A recent study highlights the importance of considering lamb's nutritional value when comparing its carbon footprint. The research found that lambs finished on grass diets had a lower carbon footprint per unit of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids content, making them a more sustainable option.
Less asphalt gives stronger trees in urban areas
Research from the University of Gothenburg found that trees surrounded by grass are stronger, taller, and cooler than those with paving close to the trunk. The study suggests investing in good soil and water for trees in urban areas where optimal conditions can be challenging.
To restore ecosystems, think about thwarting hungry herbivores
A global survey of restoration projects reveals that most efforts fail to address the impact of herbivores on young plants. By introducing predators or barriers, conservationists can increase plant regrowth by up to 89% and speed up restoration outcomes.
Unlocking sugar to generate biofuels and bioproducts
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory engineered enzymes to modify grass plant cell walls, reducing lignin content and making sugars more accessible. This led to up to 30% more sugar collection through fermentation, enabling potential conversion into biofuels like ethanol.
Can planting multiple crops in the same plot improve agricultural production and sustainability?
A new study found that diverse plant species mixtures increase plant productivity, invasion resistance, and soil nitrogen levels. Multispecies mixtures also drive different functions, with legumes benefiting productivity and water availability.
Natural GM crops: grasses take evolutionary shortcut by borrowing genes from their neighbours
A new study reveals that grasses can transfer DNA from other species into their genomes through lateral gene transfer, giving them an advantage in growth and adaptation. This process could inform future work to improve crop productivity and resilience.
Climate change may affect 40% of biodiversity in semi-arid portion of Brazil’s Northeast by 2060
The study predicts that climate change will lead to the loss of 99% of plant species in the Caatinga biome by 2060, resulting in a decrease in vegetation diversity and complexity. Biotic homogenization is expected to affect approximately 40% of plant assemblages, simplifying their composition due to the loss of rare species.
WVU bioenergy researcher digging into the root of sustainability
Jennifer Kane is studying how microbes interact with Miscanthus roots to boost productivity and sustainability. The research aims to understand what conditions enable the plant to prosper, with potential implications for bioenergy production on marginal lands.
Gene required for root hair growth, nitrate foraging found in grasses
A team of researchers led by Karen Sanguinet identified a plant gene called 'BUZZ' that drives the growth of root hairs, helping plants find water and nutrients. The gene also plays a role in nitrate uptake and signaling, which could lead to more sustainable crop production.
Capturing carbon in savannas: New research examines role of grasses for controlling climate change
A recent study found that grasses account for over half of the soil carbon content across tropical savannas, including soils directly beneath trees. The researchers' findings suggest that increasing tree cover in these ecosystems has a negligible impact on soil carbon storage.
Good smells, bad smells: It’s all in the insect brain
Researchers found that locusts have a clear preference for certain odors, such as grass and banana, while avoiding others like almond and citrus. They developed a model explaining how innate and learned preferences are generated in the locust's olfactory system.
Groundbreaking e-scooter study shows surface transitions as most common hurdle
A historic study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that e-scooter riders face significant safety risks from infrastructure, environmental factors, and their own behaviors. Transitions between surfaces proved to be the riskiest, with riders facing nearly 60 times more likelihood of a crash or near-crash experience.
Termites as cause of fairy circles in Namib Desert confirmed
Researchers confirm termites as cause of Namib Desert fairy circles, refuting the self-regulation hypothesis. The study found that sand termites eliminate plants in sandy soils, enabling long-lasting water storage after infrequent rainfall.
Reduce greenhouse gases: Stop drainage and cultivate reed grass instead of potatoes on peat soil
Researchers found that cultivating reed grass on undrained peat soil or wet meadows can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional potato crop rotation. This approach also offers potential economic benefits and can help restore the original ecosystem with high biodiversity.
UAF-led team uncovers plant remediation effects on petroleum contamination
Researchers found that plants can significantly reduce petroleum contamination in subarctic soil by altering the microbial community structure. The study provides insights into phytoremediation's potential to restore contaminated ecosystems.
Study: Wildfire spread risk increases where trees, shrubs replace grasses
A new study led by University of Florida forest management researcher Victoria Donovan found that as woody plants like shrubs and trees replace herbaceous plants like grasses, spot fires can occur farther away from the original fire perimeter. This 'woody encroachment' increases the risk of structural damage and firefighter safety.
Study highlights best practices in buffelgrass control
A recent study on buffelgrass control in Arizona's Saguaro National Park highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and surveillance. Low levels of buffelgrass can quickly expand by multiple orders of magnitude, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to manage its spread.
Secret behind Amazonian 'dark earth' could help speed up forest restoration across the globe
Adding Amazonian dark earth to soils increases plant growth by 3-8 times compared to control soil. The nutrient-rich soil also supports a greater biodiversity of beneficial bacteria and archaea, which transform chemical particles into nutrients. This 'secret weapon' could help speed up forest restoration projects worldwide.
Ohio University professor Nancy Stevens helps uncover ecosystem evolution in Africa in paper published in Science
Researchers found evidence of abundant C4 grasses and habitat heterogeneity in eastern Africa, challenging previous reconstructions of early Miocene ecosystems. The study pushes back the oldest evidence of C4 grass-dominated habitats by over 10 million years, with implications for primate evolution and tropical ecosystem origins.
Researchers warn of tick-borne disease babesiosis
A recent study reveals the first high-quality nuclear genome sequence and assembly of Babesia duncani, a neglected species until now. The parasite's evolution and mechanism of virulence have been identified, providing leads for the development of effective therapies.
Invasive grass in Texas uses chemical warfare to crowd out native species
Guinea grass, an invasive species in Texas, uses a combination of crowding and chemical toxins to suppress native plants. The researchers found that the toxicity of guinea grass increases dramatically when its shading effect is combined with its chemical warfare, making it harder for native plants to survive.
Allergies in Europe: regional differences in sensitization profiles identified in children for the first time
A comprehensive European allergy atlas has been compiled, revealing regional and climate-related differences in sensitisation to allergens. The study found varying sensitisation patterns across Europe, with certain regions having lower sensitivity to house dust mites and higher sensitivity to peanut and fruit allergens.
Can gene discovery methods halt the global march of wheat blast?
Researchers used AgRenSeq genomic discovery method to identify two genes protecting experimental wheat plants against wheat blast. The study highlights the power of heritage wheat varieties and wild grass relatives in providing disease-fighting diversity.
New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge
A new study on Chesapeake Bay water quality found that pollution thresholds affect reduction efforts, and larger reductions may be needed to induce complete reversal of eutrophication-induced hypoxia. The research revealed that the system responds only until a certain threshold is crossed, then it takes twice the effort to make a change.
Harnessing solar energy: new method improves readings of double-sided panels
A new method for measuring bifacial solar panel performance has been developed by the University of Ottawa SUNLAB team. The study proposes a characterization method that considers external effects of ground cover like snow, grass, and soil, providing a way to accurately test panel performance indoors.
VIMS research helps clarify role of water clarity in coastal management
Research by Dr. Jessie Turner and colleagues highlights the impact of water-clarity metrics on seagrass and light-loving organism restoration goals. The study suggests that different measurement methods can misrepresent underwater light climates, emphasizing the need for clear communication of methods used.
How grasses avoid inbreeding
Researchers have decoded the genetic composition of self-incompatibility in grasses, enabling new breeding strategies. The study found that two loci control self-incompatibility, allowing for more diverse populations to be bred.
New York City’s greenery absorbs a surprising amount of its carbon emissions
A new study reveals that New York City's vegetation absorbs up to 40% of the city's daily carbon emissions, outperforming transportation sources. The research uses hyper-local vegetation maps and fine-grained modeling to show that urban greenery plays a crucial role in the city's carbon cycle.
Polarity proteins shape efficient “breathing” pores in grasses
Researchers discovered two polarity proteins that accumulate on opposite sides of a cell, acting as a cellular compass to control the development of helper cells. This helps grasses form efficient stomata, optimizing gas exchange and saving water.
Post-lockdown auto emissions can’t hide in the grass
A new study published in AGU Advances found that post-lockdown auto emissions rebounded in some California areas, with affluent neighborhoods experiencing less pollution drop. The researchers used mobile laboratory data and analyzed grass samples to track CO2 levels and found significant differences between regions.
Cover cropping up to 7.2% in US Midwest, boosted by government programs
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
Planting and management of improved grass in tropical savannas can increase soil carbon by 15 percent, new paper finds
A new study found that planting and managing improved grass in tropical savannas can increase soil carbon stocks by 15% compared to degraded pasture. The use of Koronivia grass also reduced nitrous oxide emissions from grazing cattle by a factor of 10.
CABBI team adds powerful new dimension to phenotyping next-gen bioenergy crop
Researchers at CABBI used unmanned aerial vehicles with machine learning methods to select the best candidate genotypes in miscanthus breeding programs. The new method leverages high-resolution aerial imagery and three-dimensional neural networks to estimate crop traits such as flowering time, height, and biomass production.
Artificial intelligence helps predict performance of sugarcane in the field
Researchers used machine learning to predict sugarcane yield based on DNA. The technique improved accuracy by over 50% compared to traditional breeding methods.