Articles tagged with Plant Growth
A new study using satellite data found that dryland ecosystems are experiencing escalating instability, with 80% of global drylands showing increased variability. This boom-and-bust dynamic threatens rain-fed agriculture and ecology, with implications for livestock production and rangeland management.
The Salk Institute's $18 million Bezos Earth Fund grant will test whether deeper-rooted soybeans can store more carbon in soil and withstand drought and disease. The project aims to develop and test soybean plants with deeper, stronger roots using artificial intelligence, field trials, and soil carbon studies.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University created a machine-learning model to design microbial communities that promote tomato growth and stress tolerance. The communities, composed of six bacteria and the tomatine metabolite, were found to improve tomato growth and tolerance to high-temperature stress in laboratory and outdoor trials.
A new study reveals that mitochondria in dry plant seeds are fully functional and contain the necessary proteins for cellular respiration. This allows seeds to germinate rapidly within minutes of water uptake, using stored carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for energy.
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
New research contradicts past findings on plant recovery from drought, revealing that sunflowers cannot fully recover from drought. A study by Colorado State University found that gas bubble blockages in sunflowers' water-transporting tissues do not reverse after watering, despite appearing to recover remarkably well from drought.
Researchers at Tufts University developed tiny tattoo-like sensors that track temperature, humidity, and stem growth in plants. These sensors provide an early warning system for farmers, allowing them to respond before visible signs of plant stress appear.
A new study finds that cities with slower urban development tend to maintain plant communities and their climate benefits, while faster-developing cities experience declining productivity. The researchers hope their findings will inform urban development strategies to maximize plant growth.
Researchers discovered that plant stomata orientation is influenced by both cell shape and mechanical stress. In Arabidopsis thaliana, stomatal divisions tend to align with the long axis of the cell but can be altered by mechanical stress, particularly on the adaxial side where growth rates differ.
The research paper, published in an ICE journal, presents a new experimental approach to visualizing root growth and interaction with soil structures. The project's success highlights the global impact of research conducted at Kumamoto University.
Plant cells rely on fatty acids during seed to seedling stage; PEX11 protein helps regulate peroxisome size changes. Researchers create mutants with altered PEX11 genes, observing massive peroxisomes that don't shrink back down, revealing the protein's critical role in plant growth.
Climate warming significantly increases plant growth in permafrost regions by altering growing seasons and root penetration, but its impact depends on nitrogen supply. A new study reveals that moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation is a critical factor in sustaining plant growth under warming conditions.
A study reveals a regulatory pathway in melon that links transcriptional control to cell wall chemistry, leading to accelerated tissue softening and changes in fruit texture. Transcription factor CmbZIP11 is identified as a key regulator controlling pectin methyltransferase genes during ripening.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown interplay between wheat's resistance genes and fungal disease factors. The study found that powdery mildew fungus overcomes resistance by modifying recognized effectors, but a new approach could slow down its development by combining targeted resistance genes.
A new model by researchers at Duke University explains how trees grow differently under rising carbon dioxide levels. The study found that an engineer's view of water movement in leaves can help explain tree growth patterns in a carbon-rich atmosphere.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute engineered compact goldenberry plants that are 35% shorter than their wild relatives, making them viable for commercial agriculture. These new plants have the same nutritional profile as commercially available goldenberries but can be grown at higher density and with reduced maintenance.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has identified a previously unknown gravitropism pathway in plants, which helps them orient their growth direction. This new pathway, controlled by the SLQ1 gene, works independently of the LAZY genes and may provide a backup mechanism for detecting gravity.
Scientists have discovered a surprising strategy plants use to thrive in sulphur-deficient conditions by releasing glutathione, which enhances plant growth but reduces bacterial growth. This 'trans-kingdom fitness trade-off' has implications for designing better microbial solutions for resilient crops.
Researchers successfully grew large and cherry tomatoes using LED-based controlled agricultural methods, matching greenhouse performance in some ways. The study demonstrates the feasibility of this method for urban environments and potential food security in climate change scenarios.
Researchers studied pollinator-bee interactions in the Amazonvine, finding that temporal overlap affects plant fitness and flower size. Within-season mismatches between plants and pollinators can drive change in plant traits and influence evolutionary outcomes.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science have discovered a long-sought mechanism employed by primitive land plants to regulate plant growth. They found that the non-canonical regulation of the DELLA protein is crucial for promoting growth and development in flowering plants.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has identified a protein, Shikimate kinase-like 1 (SKL1), that enables land plants to convert light into energy through photosynthesis. This discovery holds promise for improved herbicides and increased efficiency of photosynthesis in food crops.
New research reveals that plants rely on multiple heat-sensing systems and a sugar-based mechanism to detect temperature changes. Sugar produced in sunlight helps plants grow taller even when thermosensors like phytochrome B are less effective. This discovery could lead to breeding crops more resiliently under stress.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
A new study reveals how nanoparticles can interfere with photosynthesis in plants, reducing their ability to convert sunlight into food. The research team found that nanoparticles undergo changes in pH and pick up lipid coatings from plant membranes, boosting their binding to RuBisCO and impairing its function.
Researchers at University of California San Diego discover itaconate stimulates seedling development, enhancing crop growth and potentially offering a sustainable solution for increasing food production. The study provides new insights into the molecule's role in plant physiology and its connections to animal biology.
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...
Researchers have identified three new Pleurothallis orchid species endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama, showcasing unique adaptations for asexual reproduction. The discovery sheds light on the importance of conserving these cloud forests, which are home to over 67 recognized species of Pleurothallis.
A new study predicts that new plant pests and diseases will severely damage UK trees and woodlands by 2050, potentially losing over half of their growth. The research highlights the need for increased tree diversity and resilience to biocontrol measures.
A new study found that nutrient availability plays a crucial role in the relationship between precipitation and plant biomass. In grasslands, plant biomass increases with higher mean annual precipitation, but nutrient availability also comes into play. Fertilizing sites with multiple nutrients boosted plant growth and biomass, revealin...
A new study from Umeå University reveals that trees' circadian clocks regulate growth and seasonal events. Adjusting clock-associated genes could help trees synchronize with changing climates, improving forestry management. The study also has implications for global vegetation models predicting forest growth and carbon storage.
Researchers at DGIST have identified a key regulator of the process, MYB74, which guides the transformation of residual cells into epidermal cells. This discovery could lead to advancements in agricultural and food production technologies, optimizing crop productivity and contributing to food security.
Researchers have created a wearable patch for plants that quickly senses stress and relays the information to growers. The patch detects hydrogen peroxide, a key distress signal caused by pests, drought, extreme temperatures, and infections, allowing for early detection and tailored care.
Researchers developed a numerical tool to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth, enabling accurate predictions of sunlight patterns. The model can help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules, leading to improved crop yields.
A recent study highlights both positive and negative effects of elevated CO2 on plants, affecting nutrient assimilation, growth, and crop quality. Crop varieties with superior biofortification traits can help alleviate nutrient deficiency.
A new study by researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture found that cold plasma-treated seeds can enhance plant growth and increase resistance to insects. However, the benefits were limited to initial stages of plant development, with control plants eventually catching up in later stages.
Researchers developed gene-edited lettuce with significantly higher levels of β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and ascorbic acid without compromising plant growth. This breakthrough highlights the potential of gene editing to combat micronutrient deficiencies and improve dietary quality.
A new study identified a genetic circuit controlling individual leaf growth and adaptation to environmental conditions. Microbes on plant leaves influence leaf growth independently of nutrient and soil properties.
Researchers developed a liquid fertilizer replacing unsustainable chemical fertilizers with organic waste, producing up to 100% of nitrogen and 77% of phosphorus. The method also increases phosphorus solubility by adjusting pH levels.
Grapevines rely on external signals to gain cold hardiness for winter and develop buds in the spring. Warmer autumns and false springs disrupt this process, making NY grape growers vulnerable to late frost damage. Planting diverse varieties is key to adapting to climate change.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving intensifying wildfires by altering vegetation and humidity levels, but not significantly impacting lightning strikes. The simulations predict a 14% increase in global area burned by fires annually with every degree of global warming.
Researchers found that constructed freshwater wetlands capture similar amounts of carbon over time, but neither has shown a net gain or loss since year 15. Despite this, wetlands remain a crucial ecosystem for sequestering carbon and providing habitat for species.
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.
Scientists identified two extremely cold summers in northern Norway using pine trees and juniper shrubs. The researchers found that the number of blue rings correlated with cooling events, suggesting that these plants can serve as indicators of past climate change.
A recent study from the University of Guam found that cycad cotyledons contribute to successful seedling growth through photosynthesis. The research reveals a robust cotyledon strategy for improving seedling persistence and biodiversity in competitive forest communities.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis found that pawpaw patches reduce herbaceous plant species diversity and total understory community size, creating a habitat where the rules of competition are more random. The presence of pawpaws also makes it challenging for land managers to encourage the growth of understory species.
Researchers discovered that plants in shaded conditions receive a larger proportion of green and far-red light, which contributes to photosynthesis. This finding may help growers develop new methods for supplementing natural sunlight with colored light.
Researchers from the University of Lausanne used genome editing to repair a deleterious domestication mutation in the tomato genome. This resulted in an earlier yielding variety, which could have implications for agriculture and sustainability. The study demonstrates the potential benefits of genome editing for crop breeding.
Increasing Rubisco, the plant enzyme responsible for capturing atmospheric CO2, can complement existing efforts to enhance yields while research on complex innovations progresses. This approach may offer benefits sooner than other strategies, particularly in conditions with decreased CO2 concentration, such as drought or heat stress.
A new NASA-led study found that plants' responses to changing rainfall patterns are crucial for understanding their role in the carbon cycle. Daily rainfall variability drove growth globally, with certain ecosystems thriving under conditions of infrequent but intense rain.
Researchers found that coating rice seedlings with magnesium-doped durian-derived carbon dots increased antioxidant activity and photosynthesis, reducing stress caused by salty soil. The treatment improved plant growth and defense mechanisms in salty soils.
Research reveals that certain soil microbes can enhance flower size, resulting in increased bee visitations, but high colonization levels may lead to smaller flowers. The study focuses on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associations with plant roots and their impact on floral traits and pollinator interactions.
A team of researchers developed a novel sensor that attaches directly to the underside of plant leaves to measure leaf color without blocking sunlight. The sensor can track changes in the same spot over time and provides fine-tuned readings for real-time monitoring.
Researchers found that a regulatory level change enabled C4 plants to photosynthesize more efficiently. By studying this shift, they believe it could be applied to make C3 crops like rice and wheat more resilient to climate change.
A study in Greenland found that plant species exhibited earlier green-up when grazed by herbivores, while others showed later growth. Herbivory also led to increased plant abundance in most affected species.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals the fundamental genetic pathways and biological mechanisms behind the corpse flower's heat production and odorous chemicals. The researchers identify a new component of the corpse flower's odor, an organic chemical called putrescine, which is released when the plant blooms.
Researchers propose a method called electro-agriculture that can produce food without sunlight, reducing the need for agricultural fields by 94%. The method uses a solar-powered chemical reaction to convert CO2 into acetate, which is then used by genetically engineered plants to produce energy and carbon.
Brazilian researchers are transforming Agave sisalana into a sustainable bioenergy source for the semi-arid climate region, requiring less water and fertilizer than sugarcane. The team has developed genetically modified yeasts to metabolize inulin and biostimulants to accelerate agave growth.
Researchers found that smaller water droplets (200 micrometers) stimulated healthier growth and resistance to pests and pathogens in tomato plants. The study suggests improved agricultural practices through water spray technologies.