Articles tagged with Grasses
Researchers from Arizona State University have decoded the Mojave Desert tortoise's genome, which could aid in its survival by understanding genetic adaptations to disease and harsh environmental conditions. The study's findings may also inform conservation strategies to preserve this threatened species.
The Ecological Society of America honored Michael J.M. McTavish with the Murray F. Buell Award for his presentation on selective granivory of exotic earthworms, while Julienne E. NeSmith received the E. Lucy Braun Award for her poster on interactive effects of soil moisture and plant invasion.
A study published in Energy & Environmental Science found that second-generation biofuels made from managed trees and perennial grasses may provide a sustainable fuel resource. The research demonstrated an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum diesel.
The UK has produced its first hay fever map, revealing areas with high concentrations of allergenic plants. The maps will help those with allergies and asthma plan their activities to reduce exposure.
The Chesapeake Bay experienced an 8% increase in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) acreage, reaching a new high of 97,433 acres in 2016. This marks the second consecutive year with positive trend since VIMS began its aerial survey in 1984.
A team of researchers, led by Cynthia Bartel, conducted a field study to explore the compatibility of perennial groundcover grasses with maize. The study aimed to reduce the environmental harm caused by removing maize stover while increasing the benefits of renewable biofuels.
In Kansas, controlled burns by farmers to manage land produce smoke with various chemicals and particles, posing an issue for air quality. Air quality alerts are in place due to the drift of smoke from burning grass.
Researchers found that mushrooms can act as indicators of lawn responses to rising carbon dioxide levels. The study found that temperature and increased CO2 concentrations affected grass competition, leading to changes in mushroom carbon isotopes.
Grasses have evolved unique stomata with four-cell configurations that enable better CO2 uptake and water conservation. The research found a key gene, BdMUTE, that enables this improved function, which could help crops thrive in warmer and dryer climates.
Researchers discovered a unique transcription factor, MUTE, responsible for the superior function of stomata in grasses. Engineered Brachypodium plants lacking this protein grew poorly, highlighting its importance in enhancing photosynthetic capacity and water use efficiency.
Grasses have evolved modified stomata that allow them to conserve water and thrive in dry environments. Researchers confirmed the increased efficiency of grass stomata and gained insight into their development, which could help cultivate crops for a changing climate.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that educated networkers and young innovators are most likely to adopt multifunctional perennial cropping systems. These groups are motivated by environmental concerns and the potential for high-value products. On the other hand, farmers classified as 'money motivated' and 'hands-off'...
Researchers found that invasive Phragmites australis has no significant impact on plant diversity, shoreline stabilization, and carbon storage in protected wetlands. The study suggests maintaining protected reserves can help defend against negative impacts of invasive species.
Researchers found that tree encroachment in hirola habitats reduced grasslands, impacting the antelope's primary food source. Overgrazing, loss of elephants from poaching, and lack of fires also contributed to the decline. Solutions like elephant conservation and grass reseeding offer hope for hirola recovery.
A new study published in JAMA found that a three-year course of treatment with immunotherapy using grass pollen extract can effectively reduce severe hay fever symptoms for several years, but a two-year course is not enough. The research bolsters previous findings that more time is needed to achieve lasting benefits.
The study found that tall fescue resulted in more soil carbon than Kentucky bluegrass, but required more frequent mowing. Returning grass clippings increased both soil carbon and nitrogen compared to when clippings were collected.
A common wheat virus can spread and harm perennial native grasses like switchgrass, reducing its vitality by 30%. This finding highlights the need for farmers and scientists to consider protecting native plants from diseases emanating from crops.
A study of 1.2-million-year-old tartar reveals that ancient humans used a kind of toothpick to clean their teeth, while consuming a balanced diet of meat and starchy foods. The analysis also suggests they ate grass seeds and had access to forests.
Researchers found a gene from the common fruit fly that can be expressed in plants to improve TNT removal from contaminated soil. The breakthrough has the potential to clean up millions of hectares of land contaminated by munitions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed transgenic grass species that can neutralize and eradicate RDX, a toxic compound used in explosives. These genetically modified grasses can remove all RDX from simulated soil within two weeks and retain none of the chemical in their leaves or stems.
A new species of quillwort (Isoetes mississippiensis) discovered in Mississippi, USA, is the largest representative of its genus, with two known populations at risk of extinction. Further study reveals its genetic makeup and potential role in biodiversity and conservation science.
A new species of fungal disease, Curvularia malina, has been identified on short-cut Bermuda and Zoysia grasses in southern US golf courses. The disease can cause black spots and reduce turf aesthetic quality, but proper diagnosis and management practices can mitigate its impact.
Researchers developed a single calibration that can be used with multiple NIRS instruments to accurately measure the percentage of alfalfa and grass in forage mixtures.
A 'risky-and-reliable' plant use strategy balancing wetland plants and seasonal grasses may have enabled the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, driving Neolithization in Jordan. Fossilized phytoliths found at a 19,000-year-old site suggest an alternative to expected Neolithization pathways.
A new study by Duke University identified a threshold for permanent spill-induced erosion in salt marshes, with erosion rates accelerating at sites covered in over 90% oil. In contrast, marshes with less oil impact showed no accelerated erosion and potentially recover over time.
Researchers discovered that mussels improve water storage around grass roots and reduce soil salinity, allowing marshes to recover from drought in less than a decade. This mutually beneficial relationship between mussels and marsh grass can help ecosystems bounce back from extreme climatic events.
A new study found that plants adapt differently to elevated CO2 levels depending on the diversity of surrounding plant species. The research tested Kentucky bluegrasses exposed to high and low CO2 levels in different communities, revealing that adaptation benefits disappear when experiencing a change in neighborhood diversity.
A new study explores using colorants to maintain turf color throughout dormant periods. Colorants applied to zoysiagrass at various volumes showed an increase in persistence of green color, with the highest volume providing color for up to 167 days.
A recent study using cutting-edge 3D dental microwear texture analysis reveals that Sinomastodon and Stegodon were obligate browsers of foliages, while Elephas had a broader diet of grasses and trees. This complex process suggests that biotic factors played a more substantial role in Pleistocene faunal turnovers than previously thought.
A study found that applying mulching materials after soil remediation and reseeding can restore perennial ryegrass in 6 weeks after diesel and hydraulic fluid spills. The combination of peat pellets, mulching, and remediation with humic amendment resulted in the best turfgrass green density.
A new Northwestern University study shows that infants can discern between categories as early as 9 months old, depending on the names used to describe them. This finding highlights the impact of language on cognitive development, suggesting that naming influences the identification of discrete categories in infants.
A University of Utah study found that traditional lawn watering recommendations are often inaccurate for urban conditions in Los Angeles. By measuring evapotranspiration in shaded areas, researchers developed a new approach to adjust watering rates and achieved higher accuracy than existing models.
Research published in Pediatrics found that children who engage in thumb-sucking or nail-biting habits have a lower risk of developing allergic sensitization. The study, which followed over 1,000 New Zealand children from age 5 to 32, also found no association between these habits and the development of asthma or hay fever.
Researchers discovered that grasses reduce crown root growth in response to drought, conserving water for future use. This adaptation allows crops to improve yields and preserve groundwater resources.
Agroforestry allows farmers to balance biomass trees with crops, capturing more carbon, filtering nutrients, and stabilizing soil. The practice offers greater economic security and long-term benefits for farmers.
Researchers have discovered ways to harness the development of stomata in grasses to boost carbon dioxide uptake and water efficiency. By rewiring the systems regulating stomata formation, scientists can improve growth performance in crops like maize, rice, and wheat.
Researchers tested cool-season turfgrass cultivars under evaluated UV-B conditions, revealing differences in growth rates and color. Coarse-textured grasses outperformed finer-textured ones, with some varieties exhibiting reduced tiller production and significant color loss.
The USGA is collaborating with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to study seashore paspalum's salt tolerance. The research aims to develop more robust turfgrass varieties that require less fresh water and fewer chemical treatments, increasing environmental sustainability in the golf industry.
A 24-million-year-old record of vegetation trends suggests that humans developed key traits like flexible diets and large brains while adapting to the spread of open grasslands. The study provides a comprehensive timeline for the development of grasses, which were part of human evolution from the very beginning.
A study by Kimberly Greder at Iowa State University found that low-income, rural mothers value outdoor activities with their families for improved physical and emotional health. The research highlights the need for accessible outdoor spaces in small rural communities to support healthy lifestyles.
A recent study found that underwater grass beds at Susquehanna Flats can protect and maintain their own health despite harsh conditions. The beds exhibit a natural ability to reduce damage from extreme events through biophysical feedback processes.
A new article provides a comprehensive guide to managing billbugs in turfgrass, including regional information and alternative control methods. The study highlights the potential of using resistant turfgrass varieties and encouraging natural predators to manage billbug populations.
NSF-funded researchers develop computational sustainability to tackle ecological and economic problems. A new field combines computer science with environmental sciences to address challenges such as wildlife management and poverty-reduction.
The Mexican rice borer infestation causes significant crop loss, with potential losses of over $200 million annually in Louisiana. A new article provides information on the pest's biology and life cycle, as well as management suggestions.
A new study analyzed ancient bison and mammoth tissues to understand the shift of grassland species. The research found that increasing precipitation during the growing season was the single most important factor in the spread of C4 grasses.
A joint study by Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that using locally sourced seed from the same region as the future grassland improves plant growth and flowering. The researchers tested seven common grassland plants across eight German regions, discovering a correlation between genetic differences and regional climate...
Researchers have found evidence supporting the theory that barren areas in grasslands arise from plant competition for water. The study suggests that plants organize themselves in a six-sided structure, resulting in gaps with regular patterns.
Researchers found that giant reed uses C3 photosynthesis despite being more productive than other crops, with exceptionally high Rubisco activity and efficient water use. This discovery could help improve C3 photosynthesis in other plants.
Scientists have developed an illustrated key to distinguish between 41 snout moth grass borers using genitalia analysis. This helps identify economically important pests that feed on crops like sugarcane and corn in the Western Hemisphere.
The study found that eastern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Northern Atlantic regions are suitable for growing bioenergy grasses like Miscanthus while minimizing water quantity and quality effects. Bioenergy crops can mitigate nitrogen leaching across the US by displacing other cropland or grassland.
A new study found that second-generation biofuels, such as perennial grasses, can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production. The researchers estimate that meeting the federal biofuels goal will reduce annual U.S. transportation emissions by up to 7-12%.
QUT scientists uncover the secrets of Aussie 'resurrection' grass, a native species that can survive droughts by selectively culling its own cells. The research reveals sugar manipulation and autophagy as key survival mechanisms, potentially leading to the development of stress-tolerant crops like chickpea.
A study led by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that bison are not entirely reliant on grass for nutritional needs and can selectively expand their diet to include woody shrubs and flowering plants during spring and fall. This adaptability may have implications for management and conservation of bison in the American West.
Researchers sequenced the entire genome of Oropetium thomaeum, a grass species that can regrow after drought. The study provides insights into its drought tolerance mechanisms and could lead to improved crop yields in water-scarce conditions.
Researchers found that native prairie gardens showed a general trend towards lower soil density, better root penetration, and greater water movement compared to adjacent lawns. However, the differences were not enough to conclude that prairie gardens are flat out better for soil than lawns.
Researchers at Princeton University found that intense rainfall leads to a decrease in tree growth and an increase in grass growth on the African savanna. This is because trees struggle to utilize excess water, while grasses can absorb it quickly, giving them a competitive advantage.
Researchers found similarities between horse sickness and human conditions like Alzheimer's disease in a study published in Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. The findings shed light on the causes of equine grass sickness, a rare but fatal condition that can be tricky to diagnose.
Researchers have demonstrated that DNA can preserve information for at least 2,000 years, and they're now working on a filing system to make it easier to navigate. DNA offers a potential solution to data loss in the digital age, with the ability to store unprecedented amounts of data in a fraction of an ounce.
A Dartmouth study reveals that strong winds blowing off the Greenland Ice Sheet are eroding soil and vegetation in the surrounding tundra, making it less productive for grazing animals. The study found that wind-driven soil erosion is more widespread near the ice sheet but restricted to steep south-facing slopes farther away.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a fast and inexpensive test to determine whether Asian carp invading Lake Erie are sterile or can reproduce. The technique uses microscopic examination of fish blood cells, allowing conservation agents to quickly identify problem animals and remove them from the population.