Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers developed a dynamic photosynthesis model that simulated a 10-20% yield increase by improving crop leaves' ability to adjust to fluctuating light. The model identified two proteins essential for the adjustment, which could lead to significant productivity gains.
A team of scientists developed a bioprocess that efficiently converts plant matter into high-value bioproducts, overcoming a major hurdle in lignocellulosic biofuels. The process uses xylose and acetate as carbon sources, resulting in significant increases in TAL production and biomass accumulation.
A team of researchers from the University of York has identified a new class of enzymes that enable crop pathogens to break through plant cell walls and infect plants. The discovery could lead to effective disease control technologies and protect crops from devastating diseases such as potato late blight.
Researchers found that pepper plant fruit scents contain complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds, including alpha-caryophyllene and 2-heptanol, which attract specific bat species. The study suggests bats use these chemical signals to select ripe fruits and find the specific Piper species they eat most.
In Ecuador's northwestern Andes, researchers from WSL and Aves y Conservation identified three new endemic orchid species, including Lepanthes microprosartima and Lepanthes caranqui. These rare species are threatened by habitat destruction and human activities, prompting conservation efforts to protect them.
Researchers found that when a weevil eats before an aphid, it enhances plant anti-pathogen defense responses, but reduces nutritional quality. In contrast, if the aphid eats first, it reduces anti-pathogen defenses and increases virus spread.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis found that sunflowers facing east produce more offspring due to increased morning warmth attracting bees. East-facing flower heads also tend to be warmer in the morning and release pollen earlier, coinciding with bee visits.
Researchers discovered a new carnivorous plant species on the West Coast of North America, Triantha occidentalis, which traps insects with sticky hairs on its flowering stem. The plant balances carnivory and pollination by only trapping small midges and not harming its pollinators.
Researchers have identified five new plant species in Bolivia's Bolivian Andes, expanding the genus Jacquemontia. The study highlights the importance of classifying and conserving these species, which are highly vulnerable to threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.
Agricultural crop residues play a crucial role in sequestering carbon, with plant material that rots in soil storing carbon for roughly four times longer than if it isn't added. This method has the potential to store between 0.8 and 1.5 gigatonnes of carbon annually, significantly aiding climate efforts.
Researchers discovered Romanescos are buds that never reach flowering state, resulting in stems producing new buds rapidly, creating pyramidal appearance and fractal structure.
Researchers found that plants don't quite achieve 'equal pay' for microbes, instead allocating resources based on the quality of service. The plant-microbe exchanges follow a square-root model, where low-performing microbes receive more resources than expected.
Researchers at UMaine used imaging spectroscopy to predict water stress in wild blueberry barrens, estimating chlorophyll levels and validating results with ground samples. The technology helps inform growers on irrigation routines and manage water resources sustainably.
Researchers found a suitable catalyst and selected an optimal additive to improve the properties of biodiesel, increasing its cetane number by 4.3 units. The fuel can be used in diesel internal combustion engines, improving performance and reducing engine wear.
Plants can respond to subtle environmental changes on the cellular level, triggering molecular changes in as little as five minutes. The study found that canopy shade leads to the removal of histones at growth-regulating genes through DNA binding of PIF7, activating their expression.
Researchers slow down grape ripening to increase compounds associated with floral and fruity notes, improving wine quality. The technique involves thinning vines and more intense irrigation during the later growing season.
A team of researchers discovered a novel barley protein, HvMADS1, that regulates flower production in response to high temperatures. The study found that introducing a genetic modification to the protein can convert an unbranched spike into a branched structure with more flowers, potentially increasing grain production.
Scientists from the John Innes Centre and University of Bristol found that deep shade triggers changes in plant circadian clocks, suppressing stem elongation. This adaptation allows plants to coexist in dense forests and crop canopies without wasting energy.
A new computer model has been created to understand plant energy storage, with lab experiments confirming its accuracy. The findings could improve crop resilience in challenging environments and help develop new plants for climate change.
Researchers have discovered that anaerobic fungi in herbivores' guts can produce novel antibiotic compounds, which could be used to fight disease. The fungi's ability to produce these compounds is crucial for their survival and competitiveness in the environment.
Research shows that migratory birds disperse seeds to warmer latitudes, which can be counterproductive for plant adaptation to climate change. The study suggests that only a few species of migratory birds have the potential to help plants move to cooler latitudes and adapt to changing conditions.
A newly discovered alpine plant, Dionysia tapetodes, produces fibres from tiny holes in its leaves, producing a stable wool-like material. Flavone and flavone derivatives form the complex structure of the wool through hydrogen bonding, allowing it to maintain stability.
Researchers found that glyphosate-based herbicides can deform reproductive parts of prickly rose plants and reduce pollen viability by 66% a year after application. This persistence can have long-term effects on plant fertility and potentially impact pollinators, which rely on these plants for food.
A Curtin University study finds that up to three-quarters of Western Australia's iconic Banded Iron Formations (BIF) biodiversity could be lost forever after mining. The research highlights the challenges of rehabilitating these unique ecosystems, which are home to nearly every plant species in the region.
A study has identified a gene that plays a crucial role in brain development, with mutations affecting inheritance patterns. The Plexin-A1 gene is found to have dominant and recessive forms, which can cause significant damage to the brain and eyes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have determined the first steps in converting light into energy for a type of bacteria that uses photosynthesis. By studying heliobacteria's reaction centers, they identified which pigments initially donate and accept electrons during charge separation.
Researchers have discovered a new species of cyanobacteria, Anthocerotibacter panamensis, which can help study the dawn of oxygenic photosynthesis. The species lacks thylakoids and has unique carotenoid biosynthesis pathways, providing insights into the evolution of photosynthesis.
Researchers modelled plant cell walls, discovering that chains of cellulose form a network providing both strength and extensibility. This new concept could inspire polymeric materials with new properties.
A comprehensive map of the citrus microbiome has been created, outlining its structure and potential functions. The study reveals that key microbes dominate different niches of the plant, such as the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, endorhiza, and phyllosphere.
A recent study found that plant scientists tend to favor visually striking plants in their research, regardless of ecological importance. The study analyzed 113 plant species and found a strong correlation between research focus on certain plant characteristics and attention.
New research from the University of Illinois and USDA-ARS found that certain hybrid sweet corn varieties can tolerate higher plant densities without increasing the risk of root lodging. The study used a combination of experimental and on-farm data to conclude that density tolerance is a key factor in reducing lodging incidence.
New research suggests that the Arctic's increasing plant biomass is not enough to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, as most of it is released through fires and timber harvests. The study estimates that only 430 million metric tons of biomass have accumulated over 31 years, with much of it being lost due to wildfires.
Researchers have developed a QR code-based digitization workflow to streamline specimen collection, reduce errors, and make data more accessible. The workflow uses unique object identifiers, citizen science platforms, and QR codes to automate data entry and analysis, allowing for the creation of large-scale phylogenetic studies.
A study examined how seed microbiomes of canola are assembled, finding that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. The researchers discovered a core microbiome in all seed samples with potentially beneficial microbes like Pseudomonas spp., which promote plant growth.
Alpine plants are losing their white protective coat as snow cover melts earlier, extending the growing season and increasing frost risk. By the end of the century, continuous snow cover for 30 days below 1,600 meters is expected to be rare.
Two independent studies on apples and oil pumpkins reveal that beneficial microorganisms are passed down to future generations, influencing plant traits. The global 'core' microbiome is shared among apples worldwide, with regional variations indicating adaptation to local environments.
Researchers found common foxgloves in the Americas have evolved longer flower tubes to accommodate hummingbird pollinators, outperforming native bumblebee-pollinated populations. This rapid evolution has occurred over 85 generations, indicating a significant adaptation to their new environment.
A UC Riverside geneticist has won a $1.7 million grant to study how barley has adapted to survive thousands of years, with the goal of understanding its future survival in extreme weather conditions. The project will also train undergraduates in agricultural science and computational techniques.
Scientists have identified 35 species of pepper in the Capsicum family, including five domesticated species. The study found that breeding compatibility between species was not linked to their genetic relationship, and four previously characterised species were reclassified.
Researchers found no significant difference in plant growth or health when grown under different light filters, making see-through solar panels a feasible option for greenhouses. This technology could enable energy-neutral farming and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Research has identified two stevia varieties that can withstand freezing temperatures, making them suitable for growth in temperate climates. The study aims to improve the yield and taste of stevia while reducing production costs.
Researchers at Michigan State University are exploring the impact of climate change on plants' efficiency, focusing on photorespiration, a process that reduces plant productivity. By understanding this phenomenon better, they hope to develop new breeding techniques and improve crop yields.
Researchers have discovered how plants use their metabolism to sense time and conserve energy, shedding light on the 'plant clock'. This understanding could help optimize crop growth in various conditions, such as different seasons and latitudes. The study's findings may lead to more reliable food production and improved yields.
Researchers found identical patterns in plant functional traits along microclimatic gradients across four tundra ecosystems, improving climate change impact predictions. This study reveals generalizable rules in nature, allowing for the application of scientific results from one region to another.
Researchers developed a way to measure levels of specific carbon nanotubes in plant tissues using programmed thermal analysis. This method can detect small amounts of carbon nanotubes in leaves, stems, and roots, providing crucial insights into their environmental fate and potential human exposure.
Researchers at Utah State University used a new tool to study the effects of stress on Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6, a health-promoting bacterium found in dryland wheat roots. The study found that stress can cause compositional changes in the bacteria's outer membrane vesicles, which may be leveraged for crop benefit.
A study by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) found that plant species often respond to climate drivers months or even years later than previously assumed. The research analyzed 76 studies on 104 plant species and discovered that climate conditions during dormant seasons can have significant effects on plants.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a model to accurately calculate GPP in bioenergy crops using satellite data. The SLOPE GPP product explains 85% of spatial and temporal variations in GPP, overcoming previous inefficiencies in image-based, time-based, and latency precision.
Scientists have identified a gene responsible for varying cereal spike forms, offering a possible solution to increasing grain yields. The research focuses on the INT-M/DUB1 gene's ability to regulate meristem activity and determine lateral spikelet formation.
A low-cost drone-based photogrammetry method has been developed to estimate plant biomass, explaining up to 47% of biomass variation in multispecies plots. The method uses aerial images and simple RGB cameras, making it a promising alternative to expensive LiDAR technology.
Research reveals plants use sugar sensing mechanisms to fine tune stress responses based on nutrient availability. The study identifies an evolutionarily conserved protein that plays a unique role in regulating stress responses and developmental transitions.
A University of Oregon postdoc has developed a new approach to reconstruct past ecosystem services by combining pollen records with key plant traits. The method provides confidence in the ability to understand how plants performed different benefits useful for humans over the past 21,000 years.
Researchers found that plants influence the relative abundance of thousands of nuclear genomes in their symbiotic microbe partners. This cooperation maximizes growth benefits for both fungi and plant partners.
Researchers tested the 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis, finding plant diversity has limited effects on animal biodiversity. Management strategies, such as controlled burns and bison reintroduction, had stronger impacts on animal communities.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have made groundbreaking discoveries about the genome of Wolffia, a miniature aquatic plant that can grow twice as fast as other plants. The study reveals that Wolffia has shed most genes that don't contribute to growth, allowing it to focus on rapid development.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered fermented food waste can boost beneficial bacteria in plants, increasing crop growth and resistance to pathogens. The treatment reduces carbon emissions from farming and has potential for sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have identified three distinct populations of switchgrass with unique adaptations to climate, paving the way for breeding high-yielding varieties matched to specific climates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable biofuel production.
Plant cells use pioneer transcription factor LEAFY to access genes that are otherwise inaccessible due to tightly packed chromatin. This allows for changes in cell identity and fate, enabling plants to adapt to environmental conditions.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory created an anatomical map of corn development by analyzing individual cells. This map will aid in breeding more sustainable crops with improved yields.
A research group found that cats use silver vine to repel mosquitoes due to its chemical defense properties. Nepetalactol activates a nervous system response in cats, which helps them transfer the substance to their fur for protection.