Articles tagged with Grasses
Biofuels have significant ecological impacts due to high-intensity agriculture practices that contribute to water pollution and loss of biodiversity. Cellulosic ethanol, made from grasses and perennial native crops, may offer a more sustainable alternative with reduced resource competition and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
New research reveals that invasive green crabs are helping to restore Cape Cod's distressed salt marshes by filling the void left by declining native predators of sesarma crabs. The study found that green crab presence had a significant deterrent effect on sesarma herbivory, allowing grass regrowth in areas previously depleted.
Researchers found that nearly a million measurements show two-thirds of Philadelphia vowels are changing, with some shifts towards Northern influences. The study spans over a century and involves over 1,000 people.
A new analysis of vegetation change over 12 million years reveals that grasslands dominated the landscape, challenging the idea of bipedalism as a response to forest encroachment. The study provides insights into the environment and plant life in Africa's Rift Valley during human evolution.
A study by Brown University biologists found that the PACMAD clade of grasses developed an anatomical predisposition to C4 photosynthesis due to evolutionary pressures. The clade's bundle sheath cells became larger, facilitating more efficient CO2 transfer when temperatures rise or plants become stressed.
Researchers found that invasive cheatgrass is linked to larger and more frequent fires, particularly in the Great Basin. The study used satellite imagery to identify cheatgrass in disproportionately high numbers of fires.
USDA researchers developed a formula to create eco-friendly fire logs and pellets from lawn clippings, agricultural waste, and plant-derived oils. The logs burn brighter, longer, and emit less pollution.
Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers identify a gene in rice plants that improves extraction of xylan and release of sugars needed for biofuels by over 60%. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of advanced biofuels.
A recent study by the U.S. National Science Foundation found that excessive nutrient enrichment can cause salt marsh loss, leading to habitat destruction for fish and shellfish. The research showed that nutrient-enriched marshes experienced extensive erosion, converting vegetated areas into mudflats with reduced productivity.
A new research project led by University of Minnesota scientists could lead to the development of sustainable, drought-resistant turf grasses. The project, funded by a $2.1 million grant, aims to breed low-input grasses that require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide.
A new study found that grasses coated with latex paints show a notable reduction in photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that red paint is more damaging to total canopy photosynthesis (TCP) than white paint, while diluting each color with water reduces their negative effects.
A recent study found that diverse grasslands can tolerate increased periods of drought and climate change due to the presence of drought-resistant species. This diversity allows grasslands to maintain their ecological functions, including carbon sequestration, food sources for grazing animals, and temperature regulation.
A multi-institutional initiative seeks to improve the genetic basis of drought resistance in a grass closely related to current biofuels feedstocks and food crops. Researchers will dissect the genetic basis of drought tolerance in these plants, with the goal of developing crops that can endure harsh conditions.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has received a five-year, $12.1 million grant to develop a new model plant system, Setaria viridis, to advance bioenergy grasses as a sustainable source of renewable fuels. The research focuses on improving drought resistance and water efficiency in these crops.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth to reveal that A. sediba ate harder foods like trees and bushes, unlike most other hominids who focused on grasses and sedges. This diet was confirmed by analysis of microscopic particles trapped in tooth tarter, suggesting the individuals avoided open grasslands.
A study published in Nature reveals that Australopithecus sediba consumed between 95 and 100 percent forest-based foods, contradicting the assumption that early hominins ate a varied diet. This finding provides insight into the dietary habits of our ancestors and sheds light on why some species thrived while others became extinct.
Researchers have identified prairie cordgrass as a promising alternative to switchgrass for biomass production due to its high yield potential and environmental sustainability. The grass has been found to be well-suited for marginal land, particularly in wet environments, making it an attractive option for conservation efforts.
Researchers sequenced foxtail millet's genome to guide assembly of switchgrass genome, a perennial grass with multiple chromosome copies. The compact genome offers advantages for studying adaptation and developing genetic tools.
Using the foxtail millet genome as a reference, researchers have developed genetic tools for switchgrass, a promising biofuels feedstock. The high-quality genome allows for efficient transformation methods and understanding of adaptation mechanisms, making it an ideal model system for studying grasses.
Researchers found that mesquite trees and woody shrubs outperform grasslands in coping with heat and water stress, despite being less adapted physiologically. The study suggests that deep roots allow mesquites to access groundwater inaccessible to shallow-rooted plants.
A University of Illinois study found that Miscanthus x giganteus is a strong contender for an alternative energy source. The bioenergy crop can be grown to produce ethanol and has shown positive environmental impacts, including erosion control.
Scientists have identified a gene family that can help breed grasses with improved properties for diet and bioenergy. The research, published in PNAS, could lead to the production of multi-use crops where grain is used for food and feed while straw is used to produce energy efficiently.
Researchers found that grass smut fungi can form hybrids with other species, which could lead to new plant diseases and accelerated evolution. The discovery was made possible by the collaboration of RUB Geobotany Laboratory and Heinrich Heine Universität in Düsseldorf.
Researchers found that hay fever symptoms peak in the first half of the grass pollen season, regardless of medication use. Symptoms decrease later on, but may be attributed to desensitization or less allergenic pollen.
Two studies published in GSA BULLETIN examine the evolution of C4-dominated grasslands in the southern Great Plains and the tectonomagmatic evolution of northwestern Mexico. The first study uses carbon isotope composition to reconstruct the relative abundance of C4 grasses over the past 12 million years, finding a protracted history of...
A new grass family tree reveals that the C4 photosynthetic pathway has evolved in grasses over 20 times within the last 30 million years. The study suggests that once C4 evolution occurs, it's unlikely to reverse, making scientists interested in engineering this pathway into drought-tolerant crops.
A new study found that lemmings can promote greening in the Arctic by increasing grass and sedge biomass, which could tip the climate either way. The researchers suggest that lemming populations play a key role in regulating tundra ecosystems, potentially maintaining them as carbon sinks.
Invasive false brome grass has spread rapidly in Oregon, thanks to its ability to evade fungal and mollusk enemies, with generalist insects being the primary attackers. The grass now threatens ecosystems and forests across the state, highlighting the need for public awareness and cleanup efforts to control its spread.
The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Project has selected two projects from the Danforth Plant Science Center to develop genetic resources for bioenergy grasses. The projects will focus on improving biomass production and stress tolerance in crops such as switchgrass, sorghum, and Miscanthus.
A multi-state research team will develop a blueprint for using marginal farmlands to grow perennial grasses for biomass, reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a market for perennial grass that gives farmers a solid return, promoting sustainable land use and biofuel production.
Researchers found that individual birds varied their technique and dropped blades of grass less often as they gained experience. The study suggests that birds have the mental capacity to learn and develop skills through repetition.
A new study reveals that wild animals like zebras can sometimes enhance cattle growth and production, especially during times of plenty. Grazing by zebras reduced weight gain for cattle in the dry season but increased it in the wet season due to improved grass quality.
African ranchers may need to rethink their approach to managing savanna rangelands, as a new study suggests that coexisting with wildlife can enhance cattle growth. Grazing by wild animals like zebras can actually improve the quality of grass for cattle during the wet season when grass becomes rank and unproductive.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a type of turfgrass that is safe for grazing animals but toxic to certain insects. The fungus, called Neotyphodium, produces compounds that kill insects while protecting the grass from animal harm. This breakthrough could lead to reduced pesticide use and promote sustainability in agriculture.
A team of USDA researchers developed a method to estimate the ethanol potential of switchgrass using near-infrared sensing, which can predict actual and maximum ethanol yields. This technology has the potential to reduce costs by $5 per sample, making it more accessible for bioenergy production.
A study by Purdue University and the University of Arkansas evaluated 12 bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivars for divot resistance. The results show that some grasses are more resistant to divoting than others, which can help reduce maintenance inputs and costs.
A study by Penn State researchers found that road graders can spread seeds of invasive plants, such as Japanese stilt grass, several orders of magnitude further than natural dispersal. The rapid spread of these plants can outcompete native vegetation and cause significant ecological damage.
A study by USDA and university scientists found that higher CO2 levels can reverse the drying effects of predicted higher temperatures on semi-arid rangelands. This is because CO2 causes leaf stomatal pores to partly close, lessening water loss and increasing plant growth for warm-season grasses.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified the role of a gene called grassy tillers1 (gt1) in enabling maize plants to grow taller when shaded. This discovery sheds light on the genetic mechanisms behind plant architecture modifications that occurred during domestication.
A recent study found that exotic grasses are better equipped to adapt to warmer temperatures than native grasses in California. This could lead to the expansion of invasive species into new areas, potentially threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.
A new study suggests that growing perennial grasses on underproductive farmland used for corn ethanol production could lead to higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre, and better groundwater quality. The switch would also slash emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
A new study by American Society for Horticultural Science reveals that landscape coefficients can be used to predict seasonal water demand and enhance irrigation information. This approach shows promising results for promoting water savings in mixed-species urban landscapes, supporting regional conservation efforts.
The University of Arizona has received a $2.95 million grant to study the ecological processes influenced by the monsoon phenomenon. The five-year project will use advanced computer modeling approaches to understand how summer rains affect plant growth and spread invasive grasses, as well as explore connections between lower elevation ...
Scientists created a method to reconstruct cattle dietary history and authenticate beef origins by analyzing muscle tissue and tail hair elements. The technique provides a powerful tool to verify farm practices and label claims on meat products.
Researchers analyze carbon isotope ratios in fossil teeth to reveal Paranthropus boisei's diet was 77% C4 plants, similar to grazing animals like warthogs and hippos. The findings contradict the common view of the hominid feeding on nuts and seeds.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that rotational grazing techniques can benefit both cattle and wildlife in native pasturelands. The results show a greater forage base, producing larger, more valuable cattle while reducing incentives for deforestation and habitat loss.
A University of Utah study reveals that Paranthropus boisei, a 2.3 million-year-old human relative, had a diet of mainly tropical grasses or sedges, not nuts. The discovery upsets conventional wisdom and has implications for understanding the diets of other early humans and human relatives.
A new study found that Paranthropus boisei, a 1-million-year-old hominid, had a diet of 77% grasses and sedges, contradicting the long-held assumption of a nut-based diet. The analysis of carbon isotopes in fossil teeth revealed a preference for C4 grasses and sedges.
A study by ecologists at the University of Texas at Austin found that a lawn of regionally native grasses requires less maintenance than traditional turfgrass, providing a lush carpet while outperforming it in weed resistance. The new approach could have a significant impact on pocketbooks and the environment.
Fossil teeth analysis reveals different herbivore families responded differently to the emergence of C4 warm-season grasses in East Africa. The shift occurred at varying rates and times, with some animals adapting to their new diet before grasslands spread rapidly.
The study found delays or advances of up to a week between pollen release and flowering period for certain species, likely caused by resuspension of grains. This understanding can help draw precise pollen prognoses for people with allergies.
Meadow fescue has been rediscovered as a suitable forage grass for intensive rotational grazing, producing more milk when consumed by cows. Its non-toxic fungi, called endophytes, help it survive heat, drought, and pests, making it a valuable alternative to toxic varieties.
Researchers estimate that marginal land around the globe can produce grass crops for biofuels with minimal impact on agriculture or the environment. The study suggests that low-impact high-diversity perennial grasses could produce bioenergy while maintaining grassland's natural land cover.
Research found that several herbicides used on corn are safe for Miscanthus x giganteus, a potential bioenergy feedstock. This discovery offers growers hope in managing weeds without harming the crop's yield and growth.
Research suggests that developing biofuel from native perennials instead of corn in the Midwest's rolling grasslands would better protect threatened bird populations. The study found that bugs and birds thrive more in mixed prairie grasses than in corn, with twice as many species making their homes in grasses.
Alternative grass species such as little bluestem, purple lovegrass, and tall fescue have been identified for anchoring roadside slopes. These deep-rooted species can stabilize the soil, while warmer-season grasses like little bluestem and purple lovegrass prevent surface erosion and provide green roadsides.
A new study presents the first geological evidence that the ancestors of C4 grasses emerged millions of years earlier than previously established. Researchers analyzed carbon isotope ratios in individual grains of grass pollen, finding unequivocal evidence for C4 grasses in southwestern Europe by the Early Oligocene.
A new analysis of fossilized grass-pollen grains from ancient European lake and sea bottoms has found that C4 grasses existed 14 million years ago, prior to the previously believed Oligocene epoch. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of these highly productive plants.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a single gene, UPBEAT1, that controls the balance of free radicals in plant roots, leading to faster growth and improved root establishment. This discovery could accelerate the development of biofuels and enhance carbon sequestration capabilities.
A new study confirms medusahead has growth advantages over most other grass species, suggesting it will spread across the West, disrupt native ecosystems, and make millions of acres worthless. Researchers identify potential competing species to reduce its spread and preserve grazing lands.