Articles tagged with Plant Growth
A recent study published in Nature found that the Arctic tundra's carbon storage has remained relatively stable despite two decades of slow and steady warming. The researchers attributed this unexpected resilience to increased plant growth and changing soil conditions, which facilitated stabilizing feedbacks to offset soil carbon loss.
Researchers discovered that Arabidopsis petals contain a hidden map that orients growth towards the edge, producing rounded shapes. This finding explains how different shapes are generated in plants and provides insights into evolutionary adaptability.
A NASA-funded study reveals that higher northern latitudes are getting warmer, leading to a shift in the growing season and changes in vegetation growth. Temperatures at northern latitudes now resemble those found 250-430 miles south, with large patches of vigorously productive vegetation spanning over 3.5 million square miles.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found a way for plants to balance their growth and defense mechanisms, enabling them to continue growing while protecting themselves from harm. This discovery could help improve crop yields by allowing plants to prioritize growth over defense.
Researchers found that carbon nanotubes significantly enhance plant cell division and growth by activating channels for water transport. The study demonstrates the potential to transform agricultural practices and improve industrial productivity.
Scientists developed a computer model to accurately emulate leaf growth from a bud, discovering simple rules controlling leaf shape. The model, created using molecular signals and an inbuilt orientation system, can now help identify genes controlling leaf shape and understanding plant development.
Green algae exposed to carbon nanotubes exhibit reduced growth rates and photosynthetic activity, primarily caused by increased shadowing and agglomeration. However, the absence of absorption by the plants indicates that CNTs do not pose a direct toxic threat.
Biologists at UC San Diego have unraveled the complete chain of biochemical reactions that controls auxin synthesis, a hormone regulating plant growth. The discovery enables agricultural scientists to develop new ways to enhance or manipulate auxin production for improved crop yields.
A recent study investigates corn silage hybrid responses to seeding rates, finding all hybrids require similar growth rates at four seeding rates. The study suggests that seeding rates should not be adjusted for different hybrid types.
Research found that plant growth retardants had no effect on plant growth rate or stem length when used with a rice hull substrate, similar to a traditional peat and perlite mix. The study suggests that producers can employ PGR drench strategies without worrying about reduced efficacy due to the presence of rice hulls.
Plant hormone ethylene plays a major role in shutting down growth inhibition during mild drought stress. The study shows that plants grow slower when water becomes limiting but can resume growth if the stress is temporary. By targeting this response, crop varieties can be developed to improve productivity and reduce yield losses.
Researchers have discovered an evolutionary change 65 million years ago that may have set the pace for present-day flowering plants' rapid growth rate. The team measured vein densities in ancient leaves to determine when modern vegetation first appeared.
Researchers found that rapid growth and wrinkling at the periphery of petals create stress within the bud, forcing it to open. This contradicts earlier theories about flower blooming, but supports a theory proposed by German literary master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Researchers created a new class of plant growth regulators that block auxin transport, controlling growth processes without hormonal activity or toxicity concerns. The inhibitors are expected to reduce environmental impact and safety risks associated with current growth regulators.
A University of Utah study used satellite imagery to monitor vegetation surges that boost deer mouse populations, predicting hantavirus outbreaks months in advance. The method has potential applications for forecasting rodent-borne illnesses worldwide.
Researchers investigated the salt tolerance of 10 common bedding plant species and cultivars irrigated with reclaimed water. The study found that some plants became more compact when grown in low to moderate salinity conditions, suggesting a potential use for recycled water in landscape irrigation.
Purdue researchers found that pre-plant bulb dips in paclobutrazol solutions can produce compact, commercially acceptable Easter lilies. The study showed that dipping bulbs resulted in 15-26% shorter plant height at flowering compared to untreated bulbs.
Research from Carnegie Institution for Science reveals that a protein called GATA2 acts as a key link between brassinosteroid and light signaling pathways, controlling plant growth and development. The study found that brassinosteroids dictate the light-sensitivity of plants by regulating the production of a key light-responsive protein.
A NASA computer modeling effort found that increased plant growth in a world with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could create a cooling effect, reducing future global warming. The model predicts a -0.3 degrees Celsius globally and -0.6 degrees C over land.
Scientists discovered a symbiotic relationship between ancient land plants and soil-dwelling fungi, enhancing photosynthetic carbon uptake and plant fitness. This collaboration, dating back nearly half a billion years, played a crucial role in the 'greening' of the Earth.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found dew essential for plant growth in semi-arid zones like the Eastern Mediterranean. Dew provides moisture to plant leaves, enabling photosynthesis and growth during early morning hours.
Researchers discovered a gene called Spatula that limits plant growth in cool temperatures, potentially helping develop crops for cold climates. By manipulating the gene, scientists aim to improve crop yields and food security in temperate regions.
A new study by NASA researchers found that global plant productivity declined by 1% between 2000 and 2009 due to regional drought, contradicting previous findings of increased productivity with warming temperatures. The decline in plant growth has significant implications for food security and the global carbon cycle.
A new study finds that trinexapac-ethyl reduces water depletion, evapotranspiration rates, and improves turf quality in creeping bentgrass during drought stress. The treatment maintains higher leaf relative water content and osmotic adjustment under drought conditions.
Researchers found that manipulating light quality using photoselective films reduces plant height and conserves plant quality in poinsettias. The study suggests a viable alternative to chemical plant growth regulators for commercial growers, promoting sustainable production methods.
Research found that handling African violets with gloved hands resulted in lower damage ratings and better plant quality. In contrast, plants brushed with bare hands to which lotion had been applied showed decreased plant size and quality. The study suggests that 'hands off' is the best approach for healthier African violet care.
A study by Michigan State University found that a growing medium depth of 4-7 cm is optimal for green roof success. The top-performing Sedum species were able to thrive in shallower depths, while deeper depths proved less desirable due to increased erosion risk.
Michigan State University scientist Beronda Montgomery is studying the process of stem growth in plants, which diverts energy from seed, flower, and leaf production. Her research aims to understand how phytochromes control plant growth and develop new approaches to improve crop yields.
Research reveals that desert dust accelerates snowmelt in Colorado alpine meadows, changing how plants respond to seasonal climate cues and affecting their annual growth cycles. This could lead to increased competition for resources among plants and potentially alter the composition of alpine meadows.
Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a previously unknown genetic pathway regulating plant growth, controlled by brassinosteroids. The HERK1 pathway, induced by BRs, plays a significant role in plant size and growth, with potential to manipulate crop yields for biofuels.
A team of researchers has identified a key protein in microalgae that concentrates CO2 for improved photosynthesis and growth. This breakthrough could lead to increased productivity in biofuel production and improved crop yields in plants such as rice and wheat.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a single gene responsible for controlling plant growth responses to high temperatures, which could significantly impact crop production as global warming increases. The study found that mutant plants deficient in the regulatory protein PIF4 display reduced growth and biomass.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified the biological clock genes responsible for plant growth spurts, which occur at night. The study uses DNA microarrays and bioinformatics to analyze thousands of genes in a short period, revealing that most plant genes are expressed only at a particular time of day.
Researchers identified genes controlling rhythmic plant growth, enabling bursts of growth at night and increasing competitiveness in shaded environments. These findings could lead to designing crops that grow faster and produce more food than current varieties.
Researchers use remote sensors to determine canopy cover in major horticultural crops, finding a strong correlation between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values and measured fractional canopy cover. The study suggests that NDVI can be an efficient way to monitor growth stage and irrigation water demand for these crops.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a biochemical pathway in plants that determines cell shape and size. By understanding this pathway, scientists may be able to engineer plants with improved properties for biofuel production, such as more massive cell walls.
A study by UC Irvine ecologists finds that excess nitrogen in tropical forests increases plant growth by an average of 20 percent. This boost in plant growth suggests the tropics will take in more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
Soil samples from a forest ecosystem with artificially elevated CO2 levels reveal distinct changes in the mix of microorganisms living beneath trembling aspen trees. These changes support increased plant growth and the ability to sequester excess carbon.
Researchers discovered how plants evolved to respond to environmental changes by repressing growth, a process integrated by the plant growth hormone gibberellin. The ability emerged in flowering plants 300 million years ago and is linked to major stages in their evolution.
Researchers at Salk Institute find epidermis controls plant growth signals, allowing them to manipulate growth pathways. Dwarf Arabidopsis plants that lack BRI1 receptor expression are made larger by driving its expression in the outer layer.
A new study finds that nitrogen release from decaying plant material follows a predictable pattern worldwide, driven by initial nitrogen concentration. This discovery improves understanding of nutrient dynamics, vegetation growth, and carbon sequestration, essential for predicting climate change impacts.
The European Commission has allocated €12 million to the AGRON-OMICS project, a collaborative research effort aiming to enhance understanding of plant growth and development. The project will focus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, exploring molecular components controlling growth and their interactions.
The Amazon rainforest grows in greenery and lush vegetation during the dry season, contrary to the general pattern of plant growth. This phenomenon is observed only in undisturbed forest areas, where trees' deep roots allow them to reach water even during dry periods.
Dr. Mark Estelle of Indiana University has been awarded the Kumho International Science Prize for his seminal contributions to understanding hormone signaling in plants. The award recognizes his pioneering work on the mechanism of action of auxin, a crucial regulator of plant growth and development.
Researchers created a three-dimensional simulation of plant growth, simulating cell division and auxin concentrations to reveal the molecular mechanism behind phyllotaxis. The model enhances biological experiments and promises accurate models for other organisms' development from primordial stem cells.
Increased dampness in Dutch dune valleys creates favourable conditions for certain plant species. Research reveals that restoration projects can be effective when specific characteristics are met.
A study in western Alaska found that vegetation growth, particularly shrubs, interacts with snow to affect Earth's albedo and alter the winter energy balance of the Arctic. This could lead to accelerated warming and changes in the region's carbon budget, with implications for the rest of the world.
Researchers have developed a new process that can efficiently break down paper into soluble sugars, potentially providing a solution to the global wastepaper glut. The method uses designer cellulosomes with unique enzymes that work together effectively to degrade cellulose chains.
Researchers discovered a key protein, BZR1, that regulates plant growth by binding to a specific DNA sequence and stopping the production of an enzyme needed for BR synthesis. This feedback loop helps maintain optimal steroid levels for plant growth.
A recent study found that adding natural mycorrhizal fungi to synthetic fertilizers can significantly improve plant growth while reducing pesticide use and water consumption. Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications discovered this inexpensive additive makes better use of fertilizers, saving money and improving the environment.
Researchers found that partial defoliation stimulates micro-organisms to release more nitrogen in the soil. This increase in nitrogen availability allows certain trees to grow larger leaves and recover from initial damage.
Researchers discovered how day length and light quality affect stability of floral-promoting protein constans in Arabidopsis thaliana. This finding helps explain seasonal, day-length dependent flowering behavior in many plant species.
A comprehensive NASA study found that climatic changes have led to increased plant growth globally over the last two decades. The research, published in Science magazine, attributes the increases primarily to climate change, with lesser contributions from carbon dioxide fertilization and forest regrowth.
A more realistic extinction scenario shows that rare and uncommon plant species removal doesn't impact aboveground plant growth, but instead affects remaining rare species. Dominant species impart resistance to ecosystem change even in the face of a 3-fold decline in species.
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a three-year experiment, raising questions about the impact of elevated CO2 on plant growth. The study found that CO2 suppression was most pronounced when combined with other climate change factors like temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition.
Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions, like the 1991 Pinatubo eruption, can temporarily cool the Earth and reduce plant growth due to increased aerosols in the atmosphere. This 'greener greenhouse' effect is partly caused by reduced sunlight and carbon dioxide emissions.
A new NASA study suggests that changes in rainfall patterns play a significant role in plant growth and carbon absorption in the United States. The research found that higher humidity combined with increased precipitation led to a 14% increase in plant growth between 1950 and 1993.
Research teams have discovered oxygen decreases of 10-15% in the upper thermocline, a layer 100-600 meters deep. Slower ocean circulation and increased plant productivity may be contributing factors, potentially linked to climate shifts and global warming.
The Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000) study investigated coupled land-atmosphere processes associated with aerosols and trace gases. Key findings show the impact of southern African emissions on climate, as visualized through satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations.
Scientists have discovered that a complex carbohydrate, RG-II, plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth by forming a network in the cell wall matrix through boron cross-links. The ability of RG-II to cross-link with boron enables normal plant expansion and prevents dwarfing in mutants without sufficient boron or fucose.