Gene boosts rice growth and yield in salty soil
A team of scientists discovered a gene that helps rice plants grow in salty soil. The gene, STRK1, increases the plant's tolerance to salt stress by reducing reactive oxygen species.
Plant Stresses
Articles tagged with Plant Stresses
Plants overcome hunger with the aid of autophagy
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that plants activate autophagy in leaf cells to derive essential amino acids during periods of low sunlight. This process allows plants to survive and grow under conditions of energy scarcity, enabling them to adapt to environmental challenges.
New method to replicate harsh conditions for materials
A new method has been proposed to stress test materials subjected to harsh conditions, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to existing methods. Laser-accelerated proton beams can reproduce damage equivalent to several months of full operation of facilities producing a harsh environment for materials.
Plants feel the heat
A team of researchers has discovered that plants' daily cycle of heat resistance is triggered by light exposure and involves chloroplast signalling. This finding could lead to the development of crops that can withstand increasingly hot temperatures and more frequent heatwaves under climate change.
Animals' mitochondria defenses discovered in plants
Scientists have identified a plant-specific unfolded protein response (UPRmt) that protects mitochondrial proteins from damage, similar to the UPRmt found in animals. This discovery highlights the conserved nature of mitonuclear stress signaling pathways across species.
Peas that like it hot
A new study reveals genetic insights into heat tolerance in peas, identifying two key traits: longer flowering duration and higher pod numbers. These traits can help breed more resilient pea varieties for warmer climates.
Plants under heat stress must act surprisingly quickly to survive
Researchers have discovered that stressed plants need to quickly produce new proteins to survive heat stress. This rapid protein synthesis is crucial for optimal growth and reproduction, as delaying it can severely impair plant development.
New rice fights off drought
Scientists at RIKEN developed transgenic rice strains that resist drought stress, showing higher yields and increased biomass. The modified rice lines produced more galactinol, a key osmoprotectant, to cope with water loss, leading to improved drought tolerance.
Plant's response to heat stress fluctuates between day and night
Research reveals how plants regulate their response to elevated temperatures differently between daytime and nighttime. A plant's response to heat stress is maximized during the hottest part of the day when TOC1 binds to PIF4 inhibiting its activity at night.
Study of wild plants contribute to understanding of high risks associated with a warming climate
New research investigates how native California wild mustard species respond to temperature stress, highlighting natural variation in thermotolerance. The study identifies the Boechera genus as a tractable system for studying thermotolerance and gaining insights into heat stress mechanisms.
Understanding how plants withstand harsh conditions remains major research challenge
Despite major advances in molecular biology, genomics and CRISPR gene-editing technology, many details of plant stress signaling pathways remain a mystery. The Zhu lab has made significant contributions to understanding SOS, the first abiotic stress signaling pathway identified in plants, but identifying similar drought response pathwa...
Microbes help plants survive in severe drought
Researchers at the University of Washington found that adding microbes to plants increases their tolerance to drought. The microbes enhance plant growth, reduce water usage, and promote nutrient accumulation, allowing plants to store more water and survive longer under stress.
ANU leads effort to develop drought-proof crops
International researchers at ANU have discovered an enzyme that senses adverse drought and sunlight conditions, enabling plants to respond with beneficial chemical compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation drought-proof crops, crucial for global food security.
Animal hormone is involved in plant stress memory
Melatonin production in plants is involved in stress memory, particularly through its regulation of sub-cellular antioxidant systems. The study found that exogenous melatonin application enhances drought priming induced cold tolerance in barley, making it a promising approach to abiotic stress tolerance.
Sweet corn genes related to crowding stress identified
Researchers at the University of Illinois identified clusters of genes that are associated with yield under crowding stress in sweet corn, finding that high-yielding hybrids utilize gene activities more directly related to carbohydrate accumulation. The study also found a common genetic basis for the yield response in six tested hybrids.
Effects of salinity and nutrient deficiency determined for spinach
A study by Chenping Xu and Beiquan Mou found that spinach can be improved in nutritional value through cultural practices that impose either low fertilizer levels or slight salt stress. This approach resulted in only moderately or slightly reduced yield, while also increasing antioxidant capacity.
Anarchistic proteins could hide secret to develop crops with high stress resistance
Researchers aim to uncover mechanisms that regulate plants' defence against stress factors, leading to the development of new crop species. Fluctuating protein structures may be essential for carrying out specific functions.
Drip irrigation rates tested for eggplant growth and yield
Researchers tested eggplant irrigation rates and found that moderate watering can reduce nitrogen leaching and maintain fruit yields. The study suggests a potential to lower current irrigation rates without negatively impacting crop performance.
Back from the 'dead': QUT scientists unlock secrets of Aussie 'resurrection' grass
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.
Lettuce quality is improved by modifying its growing conditions
A recent study by the University of the Basque Country found that altering lettuce growing conditions can enhance its nutritional quality. By subjecting plants to short-duration stresses, researchers were able to boost antioxidant compounds and increase biomass production without compromising productivity.
Elephants born when mothers are stressed age faster and produce fewer offspring
Researchers found that Asian elephants born during stressful periods produce significantly fewer offspring despite higher reproduction rates at an early age. The decline in reproductive rate accelerates with age, decades later.
Plants also suffer from stress
A team of researchers has identified a protein family that helps plants grow on salt, revealing a mechanism for improving plant growth under salt stress conditions. The study found that these proteins support the cellulose synthase machinery during cellulose synthesis, helping plants maintain biomass production under salt.
Plant doctors get to the root of plant stress in rice
Researchers discover that high nighttime temperatures cause rice plants to produce a stress hormone, leading to losses in yield and quality. They also find that root pruning can occur due to rice water weevils, affecting plant growth.
How plants cope with stress, at the molecular level
Researchers aim to understand how plants cope with stress at the molecular level, focusing on the regulatory protein GSNOR and its role in nitric oxide regulation. The study has potential to uncover plant adaptation mechanisms and inform efforts to improve plant fertility.
Seagrass thrives surprisingly well in toxic sediments -- but still dies all over the world
Seagrasses can protect themselves from toxic sulphide by creating an oxygen shield around their roots and converting it into beneficial nutrients. However, seagrasses cannot tolerate sulphide under all circumstances, especially when stressed, leading to loss of detoxification ability and death.
Stressed out plants send animal-like signals
Researchers have discovered that plants bind GABA in a similar way to animals, resulting in electrical signals that regulate plant growth when exposed to stressful environments. This finding opens up new possibilities for breeding more stress resilient crops to fight food insecurity.
Study offers new method of identifying sweet corn hybrids for increased yield and profit
Researchers have developed a new method to compare and identify processing sweet corn hybrids with improved crowding stress tolerance (CST), enabling growers to maximize yields and profits. The approach involves growing hybrids at higher plant populations than usual, allowing for more efficient comparison of CST among different hybrids.
Research shows that genomics can match plant variety to climate stresses
A new study using genomics to match plant varieties with climate stresses shows promise for increasing crop resilience. Researchers mapped genomic signatures of adaptation in sorghum varieties, identifying those that thrive under drought or toxic soils.
The color of lettuce determines the speed of its antioxidant effect
A study found that different colored lettuces have varying antioxidant effects, with red leaves acting faster than green ones. Researchers aim to boost these properties through short stresses.
New tools to breed cereal crops that survive flooding
Scientists at The University of Nottingham have developed new breeding techniques to enhance flood tolerance in barley and other crops. They identified the mechanism used by plants to sense low oxygen levels and reduced yield loss in water-logged conditions, leading to improved crop resilience.
Researchers learning more about herbicide defense 'switch' in cereal crops
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that safeners activate a defense
Vermicompost leachate improves tomato seedling growth
Vermicompost leachate enhances tomato seedling growth in temperature and water-stress conditions. Regular supply of VCL improves morphological characters, including leaf area and shoot/root biomass.
Well-watered citrus tested in cold-acclimating temperatures
Researchers found that citrus plants watered regularly in controlled environments exhibited reduced transpiration and stomatal closure when exposed to low temperatures. High soil moisture content was key to minimizing drought stress on the trees. The study's findings could impact commercial citrus growers' traditional irrigation methods.
New discovery could stimulate plant growth and increase crop yields, researchers say
Researchers at Durham University have discovered a natural mechanism in plants that can stimulate growth even under stress, leading to potential improvements in crop yields. The team found that plants produce a modifier protein called SUMO that interacts with growth-repressing proteins, allowing for the removal of brakes on plant growth.
Coping with stress in a changing world
This collection of reviews covers the impact of environmental changes on organisms, including molecular mechanisms and epigenetic factors. Key findings highlight the complexity of stress responses across generations, emphasizing the need for integrated cell stress responses for survival.
Today's worst watershed stresses may become the new normal, study finds
A study found nearly 1 in 10 U.S. watersheds are stressed due to high demand for water exceeding natural supply. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this trend, creating challenges for agriculture, electrical suppliers, and municipalities.
Organic tomatoes accumulate more vitamin C, sugars than conventionally grown fruit
Tomatoes grown on organic farms have higher levels of sugars, vitamin C and antioxidants compared to conventional farming methods. This increase in bioactive compounds is linked to the stressful growth conditions experienced by organic tomatoes.
Confirmed: How plant communities endure stress
A global meta-analysis supports the Stress Gradient Hypothesis, showing that plant interactions become more influential in positive ways when ecosystems face threats like drought. The study found that as stress increases, negative interactions weaken, while mutual support strengthens across various plant types and conditions.
Can observations of a hardy weed help feed the world?
A study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals its genetic diversity can help crops adapt to environmental stresses. Dr. Sarah Assmann explores the plant's ability to tolerate climate change, drought, and poor soils.
Plant stress paints early picture of drought
Scientists use satellite data to map plant stress, providing early warning signs of drought. The maps can aid in drought forecasts and help farmers make practical decisions sooner.
Plants in space!
Researchers at Michigan State University are studying plant adaptation to space stress using Arabidopsis mutants without functional IRE1 pathways. The goal is to gain insight into gene regulation and develop protocols for managing stress levels in space.
Relieving plant stress could eventually help humans relax
Researchers are studying how plants overcome stress as a key to growth and survival. They hope to gain insights into human stress relief through this study.
Stomata development in plants unraveled -- a valuable discovery for environmental research
Researchers at VIB have made a breakthrough in understanding how plant hormones influence stomata formation. The study reveals that brassinosteroids directly interact with the transcription factor speechless to initiate new stomata development.
A major step forward towards drought tolerance in crops
Researchers develop novel approach to enhance plant stress response, increasing crop yield under drought conditions. By modifying abscisic acid receptors, the team achieves prolonged activation of stress response pathways, paving the way for breeding more resilient crops.
Rose torture: severe heat in Texas yields better varieties for research
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications identified heat-tolerant rose varieties that performed well despite extreme temperatures. These plants exhibit high levels of black spot tolerance and produce abundant white, single flowers.
Soybean genetic treasure trove found in Swedish village
A study found that North American soybeans have a genetic treasure trove in the form of stress-resistant soybeans from a Swedish village called Fiskeby. The Fiskeby soybeans were highly tolerant to salt, aluminum, drought, high ozone levels, iron deficiency, and toxic soil aluminum.
Drought tolerance in crops: Shutting down the plant's growth inhibition under mild stress
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.
Newly discovered plant fossil reveals more than age
Scientists have discovered a new plant fossil that sheds light on the phylogenetic age and ecology of the horsetail plant genus Equisetum. The fossil, dated to 150 million years ago, reveals that the genus has maintained its successful set of tools for extreme environments over millions of years.
ISU research leads to understanding of how crops deal with stress -- yield's biggest enemy
Researchers at ISU have discovered a new pathway that allows plants to activate a response to environmental stress, leading to reduced yields. Understanding this pathway could lead to the development of crops that can tolerate stress and maintain high productivity.
Circadian rhythms spark plants' ability to survive freezing weather
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the key role of circadian clocks in plant freezing tolerance. The study found that integrating cold-signaling pathways with the circadian clock is crucial for maximum freezing tolerance, paving the way for the development of stress-tolerant crops.
Plants give up some deep secrets of drought resistance
A team of Wisconsin researchers has identified the protein targets in cells of a key hormone that controls how plants respond to environmental stresses such as drought. The study's findings could help underpin the development of new crop plant strains capable of thriving in hotter, dryer climates.
Researchers look at reducing yield loss for crops under stress
Researchers are studying plant stress response mechanisms to improve crop productivity and survival under drought and extreme weather conditions. By understanding how plants respond to different types of stress, scientists hope to develop new breeding approaches that enhance crop resilience without sacrificing yields.
VAI researchers find long awaited key to creating drought resistant crops
Researchers at Van Andel Institute determine molecular structure of plant hormone receptors, paving the way for engineer crops that thrive in harsh environments. The discovery also has implications for stress disorders in humans.
Stop and smell the flowers -- the scent really can soothe stress
A new study found that inhaling linalool, a key ingredient in aromatherapy, can alter gene activity and blood chemistry to reduce stress levels. The study also showed that linalool returned stress-elevated levels of immune cells to near-normal levels.
Tree survival skills
A recent study by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that stressors during tree handling and transport, such as root severance, water stress, and mechanical damage, can significantly impact tree health and establishment. Researchers identified key stages in the transplanting process that contribute to reduced growth a...
Plants in forest emit aspirin chemical to deal with stress; discovery may help agriculture
Researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research discovered that plants in a forest produce significant amounts of methyl salicylate, a chemical form of aspirin, in response to stress. This finding has the potential to give farmers an early warning signal about crops that are failing.
Measuring the stress of forested areas
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country study plants' defence mechanisms to predict photo-oxidative stress. They discover antioxidants like vitamin E and carotenoids, which help protect plants from excessive light, and identify new cycles like the lutein epoxide cycle.
Buyer beware: Stressed plants won't survive shipping
Research by Dr. Terri W. Starman identified the strongest survivors of postharvest experiences among popular garden plants marketed to consumers. High-quality plants may look healthy but decline in quality within a week, with most becoming unmarketable after three weeks.
Weird 'engine of the reef' revealed
Researchers have compiled the world's first detailed gene expression library for Symbiodinium, a microscopic algae that feeds corals and drives the reef's fate. Understanding its biochemical relationship with corals is crucial for addressing coral bleaching and climate change.
Plants and stress -- key players on the thin line between life and death revealed
Scientists at VIB have discovered a new control system that helps plants cope with stress by containing energy consumption and mobilizing reserves. This finding may be valuable beyond plants, as the proteins involved are also found in mammals and could play a role in understanding disorders such as diabetes and cancer.