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Asexual propagation of crop plants gets closer

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a signal that activates the female gamete in thale cress, a model plant species. This breakthrough could lead to the development of apomixis, a form of asexual reproduction that would allow crop plants to be propagated more easily and efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Fungal-rich soil may improve green roofs

A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2024

AI increases precision in plant observation

Researchers at the University of Zurich developed PlantServation, a method that enables scientists to observe plants with great precision using AI and machine learning. The technique allows for the analysis of millions of images taken from various weather conditions, providing insights into how plants respond to environmental factors.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 22, 2023

Roots are capable of measuring heat on their own, new study shows

Plant roots detect temperature changes and adjust their growth accordingly. Researchers found that root cells produce more auxin in response to elevated temperatures, stimulating cell division and allowing roots to grow deeper into the soil. This discovery could help develop new approaches for plant breeding against climate change.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Uncovering secrets of plant regeneration

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology identified the WOX13 gene as a key negative regulator of shoot regeneration in plants. The study found that WOX13 inhibits a subset of shoot meristem regulators while directly activating cell wall modifier genes involved in cell expansion and differentiation.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2023

A newly identified protein confers drought tolerance to plants

Researchers at CRAG have discovered a key role for AtMC3, a metacaspase protein located exclusively in phloem tissue, in drought stress response. Increasing AtMC3 levels improves plant survival and photosynthetic capacity under water scarcity conditions, offering a potential tool to fine-tune early drought responses.

SourceCenter for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2023

New treatment for COVID-19 is made from plants

Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative therapy using transient expression in tobacco plants to produce a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. This class 4 mAb provides key advantages over existing treatments, including mutation resistance and universal protection against emerging variants.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2023

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.

Study sheds light on leaf traits, productivity of C4 bioenergy crops

A new study sheds light on the leaf traits and productivity of C4 bioenergy crops, revealing distinct niches in the leaf economics spectrum. The research found that miscanthus and sorghum, two C4 plant species, have higher photosynthetic rates and nitrogen use efficiency than common C3 plants.

Gametophytes are ready for their close up: Methods used to study obscure sexual portion of plant life cycle focus of Applications in Plant Sciences special issue

A new special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores techniques for studying gametophytes, essential for understanding biodiversity and conservation. The study reveals the complexity of gametophyte biology, including their limited size and invisibility in some plants.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateMay 10, 2022

Danforth Center scientists develop an unprecedented three-dimensional X-ray microscope methodology to image plants at cellular resolution

Plant scientists can now image above and below-ground structures with unprecedented clarity, revealing new insights into biological processes. The development of three-dimensional X-ray microscopy enables the observation of microscopic molecular and cellular processes driving plant phenotypes.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateDec 7, 2021

Clover growth in Mars-like soils boosted by bacterial symbiosis

Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Pusan National University researchers shed light on the early development of rice seeds

A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...

SourcePusan National University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Building better barley

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed tools to help barley crops use less water while maintaining productivity. The study, published in Theoretical and Applied Genetics, utilizes carbon isotope compositions to improve selection efficiency for water-efficient varieties.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalTheoretical and Applied Genetics·DateDec 12, 2012