Articles tagged with Plants
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.
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.
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 study in PLOS ONE shows that certain hybrids are naturally density tolerant, improving yield when planted at higher populations. Increasing populations of density-tolerant hybrids can lead to an average extra $40 per acre in profit for growers and up to $120 to $280 per acre for processors.
A new study at Michigan State University has identified a cyanobacterial gene family that helps control carbon dioxide fixation in photosynthesis. The discovery also opens doors to designing systems for sustainable biotech production and increasing energy yield from photosynthesis.
Under climate warming up to 1.7 °C, sedge plants prioritize root growth over shoot growth due to nitrogen supply limitations; however, as warming intensifies, shoots become more prominent, indicating nitrogen supply now outpaces plant demand.
Researchers discovered a unique mechanism involving calcium, auxin and a calcium-binding protein that regulates plant growth. This interface determines how plants grow in response to environmental signals like light, humidity and salinity.
Marsh plants produce more stems that are noticeably smaller under high carbon dioxide, but adding nitrogen reverses this effect. This adaptation may help marshes absorb energy from storms and build soil, providing a defensive power against sea level rise.
Researchers have developed a new flaxseed cultivar called ND Hammond with significantly higher seed yield than other varieties. It also exhibits resistance to Fusarium wilt and flax rust diseases, making it an attractive option for US farmers.
Researchers found that tortoises cannot distinguish the lower petal surfaces of daisies with closed flowers, which are camouflaged to avoid herbivores. This novel defense mechanism does not negatively impact pollination interactions.
Researchers found that plants use the same transcription factor to regulate growth and defense, but require different levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for each process. This incompatibility leads to a trade-off between growth and defense, with implications for plant biomass production and disease resistance.
Researchers tested the 'island rule' on plant species colonizing islands in the Southwest Pacific and found that their stature and leaf area followed the rule. However, plant seed size did not conform to the rule, suggesting a more nuanced relationship between island habitats and organismal traits.
A new study by Indiana University researchers reveals that acid deposition causes plants to intensify their water use, leading to a decrease in soil water availability and increasing the risk of drought-related mortality. The mechanism works by washing out soil calcium, causing calcium deficiency in plants.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a portable technology that can identify plant diseases in the field by analyzing airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The device, which can be plugged into a smartphone, works by measuring the type and concentration of VOCs released by plants to determine if they are diseased.
Agrivoltaics combines solar panels and agriculture to create a more efficient and sustainable system. This practice reduces evaporation of irrigation waters in summer and increases photosynthesis, leading to improved crop growth and reduced water usage.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new mechanism determining how carbon is stored in soils, which could improve climate resilience and reduce carbon footprints. Soils from ecosystems with higher plant diversity have more pores of the right size for stable carbon storage.
MVApp enables statistical analyses of vast plant-science datasets, extracting valuable information on plant physiology and growth patterns. The platform incorporates quantile regression to quantify trait contributions to yield, facilitating reproducible results.
Researchers found that biosolids with low organic matter content yield more bioavailable nitrogen when applied to urban soils, making them a valuable resource for restoring degraded soils. The study highlights the importance of adjusting biosolid application rates based on soil degradation levels.
Gene banks are shifting to bioinformatics and big data analytics to enhance biodiversity preservation. Three major challenges arise: tracking accessions, avoiding duplications, and maintaining genetic integrity. A genomic-driven approach can address these issues by utilizing genotypic information.
A new computational model reduces experimental error in coffee yield predictions, allowing researchers to identify high-yielding varieties with more uniform yields across multiple years. The study also reveals that some coffee plants can have reasonably stable yields across years, contradicting previous assumptions.
Scientists from Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research identified a B chromosome-specific repeat and asymmetric spindle as key mechanisms behind the drive of B chromosomes. The study reveals that over 93% of B chromosomes accumulate in generative sperm nuclei, providing new insights into chromosome drive.
Researchers found that hydrology plays a greater role in methane emissions than plant species, highlighting the importance of wetland design. Constructed wetlands can be managed to reduce methane emissions by creating favorable conditions for oxygen delivery and soil saturation.
A recent study published in Plants revealed that electrons flowing through the reaction center chlorophyll (P700) in photosystem I undergo a charge recombination, producing chemical energy used in photosynthesis. This finding suggests an alternative pathway to suppress reactive oxygen species production and mitigate plant stress.
Researchers used plug-and-play temperature controllers to create controlled-environment chambers from standard chest freezers, enabling the detailed observation of developmental rates in response to different temperatures. The study found a clear temperature-dependent effect on budbreak and seed germination, allowing for expanded resea...
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are working on a six-year collaborative project to develop more resilient crops using beneficial microorganisms. The goal is to create crops that can thrive in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
Scientists create synthetic metabolic pathway to access essential isoprenoids, overcoming challenges in extraction, cultivation and cost. This breakthrough enables researchers to produce these valuable molecules directly from microbes.
Scientists have discovered that a grape variety still used in wine production today can be traced back 900 years to just one ancestral plant. The study, which analyzed 28 archaeological seeds from French sites dating back to the Iron Age and medieval period, found genetic connections between ancient seeds and modern-day grape varieties.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new microneedle technique for rapid plant disease detection, extracting DNA from plant tissues in under a minute. The method promises to revolutionize on-site plant disease detection and diagnosis.
The study determined the structure of the RebA protein, which synthesizes the plant's high-intensity sweetness. The researchers found that the plant enzyme decorates a core terpene scaffold with three special sugars to create the sweetness.
A study found that earlier snowmelt timing reduces subalpine plants' seed production, threatening their long-term survival. Climate change poses a significant threat to these populations, even without noticeable changes in bloom timing.
Researchers at UNH found that during a 15-year period of slowed air temperature rise, phenology remained relatively constant, with no appreciable increase in growing seasons. This finding has significant implications for regulating plant photosynthesis and energy exchange.
Researchers use satellite-based fluorescence measurements to track photosynthesis and monitor forest health. Chlorophyll fluorescence emission closely tracks photosynthetic activity in evergreen forests, providing insights into large-scale forest dynamics.
Historical documents suggest that a mountain surveyed by Humboldt was actually Mt. Antisana, which the authors resurveyed to compare with original observations. The resurvey found that vegetation belts have shifted upwards by 215-266 meters, consistent with global range shifts.
Researchers discovered charred food remains at the Klasies River Cave in South Africa, indicating early humans were roasting plant starches from tubers and rhizomes as far back as 120,000 years ago. This finding supports the hypothesis that the duplication of starch digestion genes is an adaptive response to a high-starch diet.
Research found that photosynthesis has increased nearly in constant proportion to rising atmospheric CO2 since the industrial era. Plants are working hard to mitigate climate change by absorbing CO2.
Scientists have developed a new technology that can measure improvements in plant photosynthesis in just 10 seconds, allowing for more efficient analysis of genetically engineered crops. This breakthrough enables faster screening and pinpointing of traits that could greatly improve crop performance.
Researchers have discovered a new moth family, Ustyurtiidae, in Eurasia, revealing the existence of previously unknown species. The newly described family is a sibling group of the false burnet moth family Urodidae, and its members are well adapted to hot desert conditions.
Scientists at Lobachevsky University have developed a new method for measuring the photochemical reflectance index using yellow-green light pulses, reducing sensitivity to lighting conditions and improving accuracy. The method has been tested on agricultural plants and found to be more reliable than traditional indicators of photosynth...
Researchers discovered that self-fertilization helps two Asiatic dayflower species coexist in the wild, countering reproductive interference caused by shared pollinators. Both species can produce enough seeds to survive through self-pollination, even when one is heavily impacted by the other's flowers.
Researchers from CSHL discovered a cryptic mutation in tomatoes that had unexpected effects on growth and yield. By understanding the interaction between this mutation and another gene, they found that duplicating the mutated gene restored its function, providing a solution to agricultural production issues.
A study has uncovered chemical evidence suggesting the use of psychoactive plants in pre-Columbian rituals in Bolivia. The analysis of a 1,000-year-old ritual bundle found five psychoactive compounds, including cocaine and dimethyltryptamine, which hint at the use of multiple plants to make ayahuasca
New research shows that climate change has increased the risk of Black Sigatoka disease in banana crops by over 44% since the 1960s. The fungus spreads via aerial spores and can reduce fruit production by up to 80%.
Researchers are tweaking tiny tomato plants to increase photosynthesis and make them suitable for growing on the International Space Station. The goal is to create a crop that can feed astronauts and potentially support future space colonies.
Scientists at Hokkaido University discovered a compound in cycad roots that triggers the transformation of Nostoc bacteria into motile hormogonia. This process enables the bacteria to provide nitrogen to host plants, potentially leading to more efficient and fertilizer-dependent agricultural production.
A new study reveals that bumble bee populations in Michigan have decreased significantly over the past century, with 12 out of 19 species experiencing declines. The research found that bumble bees that collect pollen from a narrower range of plants are more likely to decline.
A new triplex TaqMan assay has been developed to improve the reliability of Xylella fastidiosa diagnostics, targeting two loci for increased specificity. Next-generation sequencing technology was also used to analyze DNA extracts from infected and healthy plants.
Researchers develop new microscope, SCATTIRSTORM, to study cellulase and plant cell wall dynamics for more efficient biofuel production. The microscope enables high temporal resolution and spatial resolution, allowing for detailed understanding of enzyme activity.
A new study finds that abundant herbivores diminish plants' attractiveness to pollinators but increase energy spent on producing offspring through autonomous self-pollination. Plants rapidly evolve defensive traits, like toxic compounds, to ward off herbivores while maintaining floral displays attractive to pollinators.
Researchers studied the effects of ionizing radiation on plants, finding that it can alter physiological processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. The study suggests that ionizing radiation can have both negative and positive effects on plant life, depending on the context.