Articles tagged with Plants
A team of scientists discovered that plants reset their epigenetic memory by removing the H3K27me3 histone mark from sperm, allowing seeds to remember only their mother's environment. This process is crucial for seed development and ensures proper flowering times.
A method integrating phylogenetic, spatial, and bioactivity data identifies promising plant clades with high anti-infective activities. Conservation of biodiversity hotspots is reinforced by a strong correlation between species diversity and metabolite diversity.
Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University have found a way to increase wheat immunity by stimulating the biosynthesis of secondary compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of pre-sowing treatments that enhance plant resistance to environmental stresses.
A new study shows that salt-tolerant bacteria can be used to enhance salt tolerance in various plant types. Researchers found promising initial results with Kentucky Bluegrass, increasing yield 8.4 times in dry weight compared to control plants.
A team of Wake Forest researchers, led by Gloria Muday, is working on a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to find heat-tolerant tomatoes. The goal is to map out how reproductive genes work in these varieties, which can help breed or engineer dependable crops despite rising global temperatures.
Plant cells must balance trade-offs between communication, resource exchange, and protection against pathogens like fungi and bacteria. Researchers discovered that chitin perception in plasmodesmata triggers specific signaling pathways that allow cells to isolate themselves, regulating vital processes independently of immune responses.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that plants have genetic systems to host and nurture the right microbiome, promoting healthy growth. Increased microbiome diversity correlates with plant health, while abnormal compositions lead to tissue damage and symptoms similar to human inflammatory bowel disease.
A team of researchers has identified the wallflower as a suitable model plant for discovering new cardenolides, which could lead to safer versions of heart disease and cancer treatments. The study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of cardenolides and their potential applications.
Scientists have discovered a key mechanism by which plant stem cells maintain their developmental potential, enabling branching and optimizing crop architecture. The study shows that the SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) gene activates its own expression to keep its lineage active.
A comprehensive guide on tree species selection has been developed to combat air pollution from roads. The new framework identifies 12 influential traits for 61 tree species that make them effective barriers against pollution.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a way to turn pollen into soft and flexible microgel particles, which could serve as building blocks for new eco-friendly materials. The resulting pollen-based particles show promise for applications such as wound dressing, prosthetics, and implantable electronics.
Researchers developed an easy-to-use sensor that can sensitively detect changes in ethylene levels, a key hormone in plant health. The sensor uses a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes to monitor fluctuations in ethylene gas levels, with high sensitivity suitable for monitoring plants in the field.
Researchers identified peptides that trigger immune responses in multiple plant species, including citrus, potentially preventing or reducing yield loss from citrus greening. This discovery offers a new hope for the devastated citrus industry, where no resistant varieties are available and limited disease control measures exist.
A new monograph published in PhytoKeys reveals details about the 425 New World species in the largest genus of morning glories, including six new species and nine new subspecies. The study found that most plants originated from two large centers: South America and the Caribbean Islands.
A team from the University of Illinois has developed a new method to quickly screen thousands of plants for key traits related to photosynthesis. This breakthrough technology uses hyperspectral cameras to analyze light reflected off plant surfaces and estimate trait values, allowing researchers to identify promising plants for further ...
A new study reveals that plants transfer excess energy from chlorophyll to carotenoids, which release it as heat, preventing photodamage. This discovery could help scientists develop new ways to improve crop yields by understanding the natural photoprotection system of plants.
A study published in Ecology found that a native sweat bee species, Halictus ligatus, has a daily routine that makes it a promising pollinator. The bees were found to consistently visit the same plant species day-to-day, making them valuable for commercial crop pollination.
The durian tree emits a potent smell due to the amino acid ethionine, which is released by a plant-specific enzyme during fruit ripening. The amino acid has been linked to liver damage and cancer in animal tests, but low concentrations may have positive immunomodulatory effects.
Researchers found that a specific gene is switched off in alpine plants, allowing them to grow hairs and protect against UV sunlight. The discovery could aid the production of useful chemicals and provide insights into plant evolution.
A team of archaeologists and Traditional Owners identified 10 plant foods, including fruits, nuts, roots, and palm stem, preserved as charcoal at the Madjedbebe archaeological site. The discovery provides insights into the complex lifestyle of the earliest Australian Aboriginal people.
Researchers found opossums removing bracts and eating nectar from Scybalium fungiforme flowers, confirming a nearly three-decade-old theory. The study also revealed hummingbirds as secondary pollinators, adding complexity to the plant's adaptation.
Researchers found that invasive rusty crayfish are successful colonizers due to their adaptable diet, which includes both plant and animal matter. The study's findings support the notion that rusty crayfish are opportunistic omnivores.
An interdisciplinary study found that biodiversity increases yield and revenue in semi-natural grasslands. The researchers discovered that maintaining higher levels of plant diversity leads to improved forage quality and increased income from milk sales, comparable to the difference between extensively and intensively farmed land.
Plant researchers have discovered a dual guidance system that enables plants to grow stronger and respond more flexibly to environmental cues. This autonomous system allows cellulose synthase complexes to interact with chemical trails left by other complexes, guiding the arrangement of cellulose fibres.
A global team of scientists is analyzing satellite and drone data to better understand the impact of climate change on Arctic vegetation. The research found that the greening of Arctic regions is caused by more than just warming temperatures, with other changes including differences in snowmelt and landscape wetness.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that hemp plants' propensity to become unusable due to high THC levels is determined by genetics, not environmental factors. The team discovered a correlation between the plants' genetics and chemical production, providing new insights into breeding low-THC hemp varieties.
Researchers have identified chickpea genes that offer robust non-host resistance to Alternaria blight, a devastating fungal disease affecting Brassica crops. The study reveals these genes can suppress fungal development and colonization in mustard plants, paving the way for blight-resistant crop varieties.
Researchers discovered that nitrogen fertilizers shape the composition of individual members of the tomato microbiota, with Actinobacteria colonizing root tissues. The diet represented by different nitrogen treatments determines the plant microbiota, highlighting potential targets for optimizing plant nutrition and global food security.
Researchers found that each bumble bee species selected a different assortment of flowers, even when foraging across the same landscape. The study identified 14 plant species preferentially selected by bumble bees, including thickstem aster and Rydberg's penstemon.
Scientists at Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research discovered a new type of centromere in the European dodder, Cuscuta europaea. Unlike typical monocentric or holocentric species, the unique centromere in C. europaea was found to be independent of CENH3 histone distribution.
Research suggests that reducing emissions of ozone-forming gases from human activities such as road transport and energy production can improve plant growth and capture more carbon. A 50% cut in these emissions is proposed as a large but plausible target to mitigate ozone-induced loss of plant productivity.
Scientists at the University of Münster have developed a vaccine-like treatment that stimulates plants' natural immune system using a specific pattern in chitosan, a biopolymer. This breakthrough could lead to reduced chemical pesticide use and improved plant growth, as well as potential applications in scar-free wound healing.
Researchers discovered diverse fungal communities associated with camas seeds and roots, which may support its establishment in restored habitats. These findings could help scientists restore native prairie and wetland ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers identified specific genomic regions that have changed in response to natural selection to allow plant species to adapt to new climatic conditions. These adaptations are linked to traits such as winter survival and flowering, enabling plants to thrive in diverse climates.
School packed lunches in the UK still have low nutritional quality, with only 1.6% meeting food standards, according to a study. The analysis found that sugar levels decreased, while vitamin C content dropped significantly.
A new study reveals that landscapes with mixed land uses are more productive and stable than those with uniform use. The research found that diverse landscapes can mitigate effects of climate variation and interact in ways that improve the functioning of the entire landscape.
A research team led by Ana Caicedo at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has identified missing links in the tomato's evolution. The study reveals that the modern cultivated tomato is most closely related to a weed-like tomato group found in Mexico, not semi-domesticated intermediate types found in South America.
Researchers analyzed 208 plant species across various environmental factors, finding that all three factor types have similar effects on plant performance. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when predicting future biodiversity changes.
Researchers have engineered a new variety of gene-edited tomato plants that can be grown in compact spaces, producing ripe fruit in under 40 days. These 'urban agriculture tomatoes' are designed to thrive in urban environments or other places with limited space, such as on the roof of a skyscraper or in space.
Dodder parasitic plant avoids genetic evolution arms race with host plants by sending microRNAs that shut down defense genes. The parasite targets conserved host genes and creates multiple versions of its genetic weaponry to ensure effectiveness.
A team of Russian scientists found that adding micromolar selenium doses to hydroponic substrate increases the levels of useful biologically active compounds in sweet basil leaves. This concentration is safe for the plant, leading to higher antioxidant levels and enhanced nutritional properties.
A new study by John Innes Centre reveals that warmer Octobers can lead to higher oilseed rape yields, as plants grow longer under warmer conditions. This is the first 'lab in a field' experiment, which simulated warmer October temperatures using soil surface warming cables.
A new study found that lower elevation Silversword plants are less drought-resistant than higher elevation plants, leading to increased mortality rates. The researchers suggest using suitable habitats for the plants in a changing climate rather than breeding them with drought-resistant genes.
Cyanobacteria and plants use similar mechanisms to regulate cyclic electron flow during photosynthesis, according to LMU biologists Marcel Dann and Dario Leister. Two proteins, PGRL1 and PGR5, mediate control of CEF in plants.
A study assesses landscape plants using consumers' activity levels, revealing four quadrants: actively immersive, passively immersed, actively absorptive, and passively absorptive. This segmentation can improve marketing efforts for plant producers, wholesalers, and retailers.
A team of researchers from Japan and the UK has identified a crucial communication route in developing chloroplasts, the energy factories of plant cells. The newly characterized protein GUN1 regulates tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, controlling the cell's production of heme.
A new study reveals European ash has moderately good resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that has devastated ash species in the USA and some parts of Russia. The research found that European ash can restrict EAB development, while also exhibiting similar resistance to Manchurian ash.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found that hops can be induced to flower without the traditional vernalization period, enabling year-round indoor production. This breakthrough could lead to a new era of sustainable and locally grown hops, supporting the craft brewing industry.
Researchers at MIT have developed a robot with an extendable appendage that can twist and turn in various configurations, yet remains rigid enough to support heavy loads. The robot's design is inspired by the way plants grow, allowing it to adapt to different tasks and environments.
Researchers developed an affordable, open-source monitoring system called GMpi using Raspberry Pi computers. The system allows flexible and secure remote monitoring of plant growth facilities, ensuring reproducibility and peace of mind.
Researchers developed new techniques to measure heat tolerance in quinoa, a health food rich in essential amino acids. The method uses spectral reflectance indices to assess plant growth under high temperatures, providing insights into grain production and paving the way for breeding more resilient varieties.
Researchers from SMART have discovered a new method called Molecular Probe Adsorption (MPA) that enables the exploration of nanoparticle surfaces without damaging them. This breakthrough technique is substantially faster and cheaper than existing chemical methods, allowing for universal characterization of nanoparticles with any geomet...
Certain species of resident bacteria can produce enzymes to break down fungal cell walls, protecting plant roots. The discovery represents a big step forward for developing sustainable crop production systems with fewer pesticides.
Researchers discovered that Vitamin E works in plants under extreme conditions by sending signals from chloroplasts to the cell nucleus. This retrograde signalling mechanism helps regulate key aspects of plant development, such as senescence and ripening of fruits.
New research reveals that daylight hours are the key factor in starting Africa's iconic 'green-up' phenomenon, where plants and trees grow their leaves. The study found shorter daylight hours before the growing season resulted in later vegetation growth.
Researchers have generated genetic resources for three different varieties of millets, which can lead to the development of new crop varieties. The study's findings uncover tiny differences in DNA sequences that may be connected to characteristics like drought tolerance and growth rate.
A six-year study has uncovered the existence of a sensor in appressoria that tells the fungus when to rupture the rice leaf. This discovery provides a platform for developing fungicides against rice blast, one of the deadliest crop killers, and could also apply to other septin-mediated fungi.
Scientists discovered that microscopic droplets on leaf surfaces provide refuge to bacteria, allowing them to survive dry conditions. The study's findings may enable the development of practices supporting healthy plant microbiomes in agricultural and natural settings.
A new study by Hebrew University researchers found that bacteria can survive in tiny droplets on leaf surfaces during the day. The droplets, formed through a process called deliquescence, protect bacterial cells from drying out and allow them to thrive.
A new survey confirms that muscadine grapes are susceptible to parasitic nematodes, which can impact yield and grape quality. The study found seven types of nematodes associated with muscadines in Georgia and North Carolina.