Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers found a way to exploit Striga's Achilles' heel by using artificial plant hormones called strigolactones. The treatment reduces Striga plants by over half, making it a game-changer for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa where the weed threatens up to 40% of staple crops.
Researchers evaluated diverse carrot germplasm for salinity tolerance and identified a wide range of phenotypic variations. The study found that many cultivated carrots are saline-sensitive during germination but some wild and cultivated accessions exhibit high salt tolerance.
Recent advances in plant seed microbiomes have revealed distinct compositions and beneficial bacteria within seed endophytes. This study provides a basis for developing sustainable alternative inputs in agriculture, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Scientists in China have developed a process to convert plant waste into high-density aviation fuel, reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes. The biofuel has higher density than conventional fuels, allowing aircraft to fly farther and carry more.
Scientists uncover that saffron crocus is a hybrid of wild Crocus cartwrightianus cytotypes, resolving centuries-long debate. Genome sequencing and comparative analysis reveal fusion of two individual genomes, confirming the plant's autotriploid nature.
A field experiment in California's 2017-2018 winter drought revealed a strong correlation between seedling root length and mortality. In contrast, easily measurable adult traits showed only weak correlations with seedling mortality, suggesting that traditional plant traits may not predict ecosystem responses to environmental stress.
An international team of researchers found that mycorrhiza-plant interactions hinder the colonisation of remote islands, acting as a brake on plant spread. This symbiosis is also linked to biogeographic patterns and preserving biological diversity.
A study found that chelated calcium improves leaf mechanical strength in poinsettias, enhancing their resistance to physical damage. This treatment is recommended for stock plants to improve postharvest quality during shipping and propagation.
Scientists discovered three new accessions of Siberian Miscanthus that outperform the industry favorite in photosynthetic efficiency at low temperatures. One cultivar showed a 100% increase in photosynthesis, making it a promising candidate for breeding more cold-tolerant hybrids.
The study provides a baseline for SLCMV in Southeast Asia, highlighting the need for disease-resistant varieties and rapid epidemic management. The potential impact of a widespread outbreak is currently unknown due to varying cassava varieties across regions.
Scientists at University of Oxford have identified a novel biochemical pathway, CHLORAD, that enables plants to tolerate environmental stresses. This breakthrough could lead to more resilient crop varieties essential for global food security.
A multinational review of peppers/chilis (Capsicum species) explores various aspects, including taxonomy, genetic resources, cytogenetic studies, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis. The crop's global production, cultivation, and economic value are also examined.
A new species of Aloe, Aloe sanguinalis, has been discovered in Somaliland with distinctive bright red sap and large clump formations. The discovery was made possible by Ahmed Awale's sighting of the plant while driving through the country.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown compartment within the symbiotic cortical root cells of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The periarbuscular space now appears to be a complex network of membranes linking the plant cytoplasm to regions adjacent to the fungus, suggesting an efficient exchange of nutrients and molecules.
A study published in Cell reveals that plants predominantly produce uneven, asymmetrical pollen grains for protection and not symmetrical patterns. This preference is due to the natural selection process which favors disordered, asymmetrical patterns over uniform ones.
The newly described Mcvaughia piauhiensis highlights the diversity of the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests biome in northeastern Brazil. The study sheds light on the unique characteristics of this recently recognized biome and its endemic plant species, crucial for conservation efforts.
Scientists confirm that birds carry both plants and their fungal partners, forming a symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisms. This discovery sheds light on the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungi.
Researchers at Heidelberg University have identified bifacial stem cells responsible for forming wood and plant bast fibres. By studying specific cell types in the cambium layer, they discovered that these cells produce both wood and bast tissues bidirectionally.
A study by the University of Plymouth found that snails are attracted to seedlings based on their volatile scent preferences, while those with repellent chemicals avoid damage. This discovery provides insights into the complex interactions between slugs and snails in natural habitats.
Researchers have developed a new technique to accurately isolate phloem cells using fluorescent microscopy and organelle-specific dyes. This method can be applied across various species to understand phloem diseases such as citrus greening, cucurbit yellow vine disease, and corn stunt disease.
Researchers at University of Manchester discovered that plants with diverse root microbiomes outperform those without, living fast and dying young. The study highlights the importance of balancing harmful and beneficial fungi in soil for healthy plant growth.
A study explores how biomechanical factors shape plant organs, revealing a power-law distribution for growth strain within leaves. Researchers replicated leaf geometries in a hydrogel, offering insights into bioinspired structures in soft materials.
Scientists at John Innes Centre and University of Queensland have improved space-inspired speed breeding technique to breed disease-resistant, climate-resilient crops. By using enhanced LED lighting and day-long regimes, they can grow six generations of wheat per year, compared to two generations using traditional breeding methods.
Researchers argue that reintroducing native microbiomes can accelerate succession and increase plant diversity in restored communities. The study also highlights the importance of mycorrhizal fungi in maintaining these relationships.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to measure water-use efficiency in corn, which could make breeding more efficient. The method uses leaf samples and measures the ratio of heavy to light carbon isotopes to determine water status.
A world collection of over 22,000 barley varieties has been characterised at the molecular level, enabling effective use of genebank collections in research and breeding. The dataset guides the identification of duplicate samples and provides insights into global barley diversity.
A new study from Berkeley Lab found that accounting for plant nutrient uptake at night and during non-growing seasons can weaken terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks with the atmosphere, leading to weaker greenhouse gas emissions. The study's findings imply that plants may be able to take up more carbon dioxide and soils lose less nitrous o...
Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a gene network that enables plant roots to efficiently take up and metabolize nitrogen. This breakthrough could lead to the development of crop varieties that need less fertilizer or make better use of it, reducing environmental impacts.
Agricultural Research Service scientists have identified key genes and transcription factors in plants that allow them to direct nitrogen to their roots, shoots, flowers, and seed heads. This knowledge may enable the breeding of new plant varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency.
A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified new regulators of nitrogen use in plants, which may lead to the development of crops better suited to thrive under different environmental conditions. The researchers found that eliminating certain genes can stunt plant growth and distort roots when nitrogen is scarce.
Researchers traced cacao trees' origin to a single domestication event around 3,600 years ago in Central America. The study found that domestication selected for desirable traits like flavor and disease resistance but also introduced counterproductive genes that lowered crop yields.
A genetic map of garden asparagus has been created, allowing researchers to identify the chromosome that determines the plant's sex. The map is a significant breakthrough in understanding this dioecious species and will enable the development of new varieties with improved characteristics.
New research reveals that warmer springs lead to less plant growth in summer and autumn, contrary to popular belief. This phenomenon has significant implications for carbon uptake and overall climate forecasts, suggesting even more severe consequences of global warming than previously thought.
A new study reveals that warmer springs in northern regions lead to reduced plant productivity in summer and autumn months. The team used satellite images to survey 41 million km2 of land and found that the early onset of spring does not continue into the summer, resulting in depleted water resources and reduced biomass.
Researchers found that Amanita fungi lost genetic material to form a closer bond with plants, allowing them to thrive in forest ecosystems. The study suggests that symbiosis may be easier to develop than previously thought.
New evidence supports the idea that fruits develop eye-catching colors to attract animal dispersers. Fruits eaten by mammals have higher reflectance in the green spectrum, while those dispersed by birds reflect more in the red. The study also found a link between fruit color and environmental factors such as UV light.
Scientists discovered that pollen tubes exert forces similar to car tire pressure as they navigate through plant tissue to fertilize eggs. The research found that cells can 'feel' and respond to physical resistance in their environment, leading to changes in growth patterns.
Researchers discover that glutamate activates a wave of calcium in plant tissues, triggering a defense response. The study uses fluorescent imaging to visualize the calcium signaling system, showing that it moves quickly through the plant to prepare distant tissues for future threats.
Scientists at the University of Plymouth study how seedling defense mechanisms change across large geographical scales. Researchers plan to assess the impact of latitude and altitude on plant resistance by examining snails' preferences for seedlings from various European regions.
New research suggests global warming will cause peatlands to absorb more carbon initially, but the effect will weaken as warming increases. The study highlights the importance of protecting intact peatlands and restoring drained peatlands to prevent rapid rates of peat decomposition.
A new study reveals China's air quality is worse than the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea in terms of surface ozone levels. The country experiences more high ozone days than any other nation, posing a significant threat to human health and crops.
Scientists at Salk Institute and Purdue University discovered a key to mass-producing beneficial plant compounds, including terpenoids used in fragrances, flavorings, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. They found that plants have an
Researchers have identified a protein complex that helps plants 'switch off' photosynthesis at night and 'switch on' when light is available again. This complex, involving thioredoxin-like2 (TrxL2)/2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2CP), allows plants to conserve energy and restore photosynthetic activity when necessary.
A study discovered that plants regulate their internal 'circadian clock' using sugars from photosynthesis to stay in tune with day and night cycles. This process enables plants to match their activities to the time of day, crucial for growth, flower opening, and energy reserve management.
A new study reveals that fertilizing plants can destroy the beneficial microbiomes on their leaves, making them more susceptible to disease. Researchers found that low doses of beneficial microbes are often more effective in protecting plants from infection than higher doses.
Researchers identified splicing as the earliest plant fibre technology for making thread in Early Bronze Age Britain and across Europe. This technology is fundamentally different from draft spinning and was previously unknown in Britain.
The study found that the effectiveness of PRI use depends on the distribution of photosynthetic parameters among plants. Low levels of stress and varying stress levels in the study group showed higher effectiveness. Optimal conditions for measuring PRI, such as artificial lighting, reduced the significance of parameter distribution.
Researchers found that tree shrews have a unique mutation in their TRPV1 ion channel, which lowers sensitivity to capsaicinoids, allowing them to consume chili peppers. This adaptation is thought to be driven by strong selection for this residue due to its prevalence in spicy plants.
A study found that Chinese tree shrews can actively feed on chili peppers without reducing their food intake, unlike mice. The researchers discovered that the tree shrew's TRPV1 ion channel has a mutation that reduces its sensitivity to capsaicin, making it less painful for them.
Researchers at Texas Tech University have created a simple method to clean out pollen grains, making them suitable for carrying medicines or vaccines. The new technique works on various types of pollen and can be used to deliver drugs or vaccines efficiently.
Changes in land use significantly impact CO2 storage in vegetation and atmospheric concentration. Deforestation can lead to reduced capacity for plants and soil to absorb CO2.
Researchers at UC Davis discover that photorespiration, thought to waste energy, actually enhances nitrate assimilation, a critical process for sustaining food quality under climate change. The study suggests a new biochemical pathway that generates energy for protein synthesis and promotes plant resilience.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism for the plant hormone auxin that enables rapid adaptation of root growth direction in response to gravity. This mechanism allows roots to quickly bend and grow deeper into the soil, where they can anchor themselves and find water and nutrients.
Researchers created computer models to understand how wheat responds to heat stress, including timing, intensity, and duration. The models predict the impact of heat waves on wheat yields and grain size, providing valuable insights for farmers to mitigate losses.
Researchers have created coatings using essential oils like Tea Tree Oil, showing good antibacterial properties and potential as a low-cost alternative to synthetic antibiotics. The technology has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly and transparent.
Researchers used spectral data to measure plant diversity and predict ecosystem function, finding that it was more effective than traditional methods. The study showed that spectral dissimilarity among plant species increased with functional dissimilarity and evolutionary divergence time.
The Moscow University Digital Herbarium is a vast online repository of plant specimens from around the world, with over 900,000 records digitized since 2015. The collection boasts significant contributions from Russia, Ukraine, Mongolia, and other regions.
Researchers have discovered that common garden cress can absorb and store vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. The study provides a promising solution to address the global challenge of providing a nutrient-complete vegetarian diet.
Researchers have developed a quick detection method for a microscopic worm targeting coffee crops, found in soil samples across Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The nematodes feed on plant roots, weakening the plants and causing yield loss, with no specific symptoms.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce genetic mutations into cacao plants, resulting in enhanced disease resistance. The study suggests that a fraction of the targeted gene's copies may be sufficient to trigger systemic disease resistance.