Articles tagged with Plants
A new University of Stirling study has uncovered the secrets of 'pollen thief' bees, which take pollen from flowers without providing pollination services. The research found that these smaller bees often stay longer at each flower and visit fewer flowers in each run, contributing little to seed production.
Researchers have found that hawk moths and bumble bees are damaging rare orchids in North Dakota by stealing nectar without providing pollination services. The long-tongued hawk moth species are particularly problematic, as they have tongues longer than the orchid's spur, allowing them to access nectar without paying for it.
Plant scientists found that parasitic nematodes use a specialized hormone to feed from plants, allowing them to cause devastating agricultural pests. The discovery could lead to the development of crop plants with enhanced resistance to these pests.
A new study reveals that competition from previously unknown plant species at lower elevations can be decisive for alpine plants in warmer climates. This finding challenges the assumption that higher temperatures are the primary effect of climate change on alpine species, instead highlighting the importance of competition.
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that a genetic mutation in macaques allowed them to tolerate bitter tastes, increasing their chances of survival. This finding challenges the common belief that an inability to taste bitterness is a disadvantage.
Plant cellulose can self-assemble into wrinkled surfaces that produce striking optical effects, such as iridescence and color changes. The researchers found that the twisting structure of cellulose creates a pattern of parallel ridges that split light into its colored components, producing an iridescent sheen.
A new study by Aarhus University researchers found that plant communities on the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador have shifted upwards by more than 500 meters over the last two centuries. This dramatic shift is attributed to climate change and human-induced land cultivation, which has reduced precipitation and glacier coverage.
The discovery of the VRN-D4 gene and its three counterpart genes is crucial for understanding vernalization and developing wheat varieties adapted to different regions or changing environments. The study also shows how ancient wheat from Pakistan and India influenced the spring growth habit in some wheat varieties.
Biologists at the University of York have found a key plant enzyme that reacts with TNT, generating toxic compounds. The discovery raises hope for a new, sustainable method to remediate explosives-contaminated land and water.
Bumblebees infected with a common intestinal parasite are drawn to flowers rich in medicinal compounds, which may help combat bee species decline. The study found that bees alter their foraging behavior to maximize consumption of beneficial plant chemicals.
Researchers discovered that plants use biological mechanisms to transport volatile compounds to the atmosphere, contradicting the long-held theory of diffusion. This finding could revolutionize our understanding of plant biology and potentially lead to breakthroughs in plant health, defense, and pest management.
Researchers at Purdue University found that LED sole-source lighting is comparable to or better than traditional supplemental lighting for growing high-quality bedding plant seedlings. The study suggests using LEDs with a specific blue light spectrum can promote compact, desirable plant growth.
Researchers found that strip-till farming increased soil organic matter content by 8.6% after five years compared to no-till methods. This resulted in reduced bulk density and penetration resistance, creating a more favorable environment for crop growth.
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.
A Purdue University study reveals that targeting plants with red and blue LEDs offers an energy-efficient solution for growing crops in space. The research found that leaf lettuce thrived under a 95-to-5 ratio of red and blue light-emitting diodes, using about 90% less electrical power per growing area than traditional lighting.
Researchers are using alternative breeding methods to increase switchgrass's biomass yield, ethanol production, and reduce lignin content. The study utilizes the Smith-Hazel Selection Index to select for multiple traits simultaneously, aiming to speed up the breeding process and achieve more ideal switchgrass by 2025.
A study highlights the importance of coupling natural history collections with next-generation sequencing to obtain large molecular data sets for species-rich groups. Large genomic data sets are becoming increasingly obtainable, but the bottleneck shifts to the number of species and individuals that can be included in the study.
A new study at Cornell University identifies a gene duplication causing cucumbers to produce only female flowers, leading to increased yields in greenhouse production. The research builds on previous work and shows that the genetic variation affects over 1,600 genes in the cucumber genome.
Container-grown plant researchers developed a formula to evaluate irrigation capture in ornamental plants, revealing factors that affect CF, including plant size, growth habit, and sprinkler type. This knowledge can aid growers in adjusting irrigation rates and reducing water use.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a set of genes responsible for stem cell production in tomatoes, which explains the origin of the massive 'beefsteak' variety. By fine-tuning these genes, breeders can potentially customize fruit size in other crops.
Researchers documented how a meatpacking plant met the desire for low-wage, exploitive jobs, with many Guatemalans migrating from desperate situations. The study explores the role of shadow networks in forging identities of migrating workers and their experiences in finding agency and improving lives.
Researchers used IBM's supercomputing power to model cellulose at the molecular level, revealing a new understanding of its structure and dynamics. The insights could lead to disease-resistant crop varieties and increased sustainability in the pulp and paper industry.
Botanists have discovered 17 new species of Eugenia plants in Madagascar, with the finds shedding light on the genus's distribution and ecological patterns. The discovery highlights the country's rich biodiversity, with many plant families yielding new species annually.
A new hybrid plant used in anti-malarial drug production, developed by scientists at the University of York's Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), has been registered as a new variety in China. The plant is believed to be the first instance of Chinese registration for an Artemisia annua variety bred outside China.
In a study of Australian dune ecosystems, researchers identified diverse plant strategies to acquire phosphorus from soil. As soils age and phosphorus declines, these strategies increase, enabling plants to survive in impoverished conditions.
A study found that controlled irrigation treatments at lower substrate moisture content levels can produce high-quality plants with equal shelf life, while reducing water usage. Researchers used Angelonia angustifolia and discovered the benefits of reduced irrigation for retail settings.
Researchers have uncovered how beneficial bacteria form a waterproof coating on plant roots to shield them from microbes that cause disease. This protective film incorporates proteins with shape-changing properties, enabling it to repel water and potentially harmful molecules.
Researchers found a negative relation between atmospheric nitrogen emissions and plant diversity in Switzerland, with a 19% loss in phylogenetic diversity. High nitrogen deposition favors few highly competitive species, leading to decreased overall plant diversity.
Researchers found that controlled water deficit can effectively regulate stem elongation in poinsettias, reducing the need for plant growth retardants. The study also showed that prolonged water deficit application reduced bract area, highlighting the importance of avoiding this practice during periods of bract elongation.
New research reveals that non-native plants are less widespread and do not outcompete native species, suggesting alternative causes for vegetation change. High diversities of native and non-native plant species coexist in locations with high native species diversity.
A study by American Society for Horticultural Science researchers recommends specific water content thresholds for improved irrigation management in Gardenia jasminoides. The results show that applying water only when needed leads to efficient irrigation with minimal leaching, resulting in better plant growth and root establishment.
A recent Carnegie Institution study has identified three SWEET family proteins essential for delivering sugars from plant leaves to embryonic plants inside seeds. The research found that eliminating these transporters retards embryonic development and reduces seed quality, with potential applications in crop yield enhancement.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that the hermaphrodite version of the papaya plant, essential for commercial fruit production, arose from human selection by the ancient Maya around 4,000 years ago. This genetic study could lead to the development of a new, more efficient papaya variety.
Researchers have developed genetic tools to pre-adapt crops to future drier climates, improving water efficiency and reducing the need for irrigation. By altering plant stomata, crop yields can be maintained or increased with less water, supporting regions facing water scarcity.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which plants regulate their vitamin C levels in response to environmental factors. This finding may help improve plant breeding programs and prevent iron deficiency anaemia worldwide.
Researchers mapped the African continent using satellite data, discovering regions that have received drastically different amounts of rainfall over the past decade. The study found that areas such as the Congo, Nigeria, and Madagascar have become drier, while others like the Sahel zone have become greener due to increased rainfall.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that tropical plants like Heliconia tortuosa recognize specific hummingbird species by their nectar-sipping behavior. The plants respond by allowing high-quality pollen germination, increasing the chances of successful seed formation.
Researchers at Nanjing University have developed a standard operation procedure to detect dietetically absorbed plant miRNAs in human plasma. The study identified six plant miRNAs with dynamic physiological patterns and kinetic absorption curves, suggesting they can exert physiological functions.
A study from San Francisco State University found that native bees can provide sufficient pollination for tomatoes in urban gardens, with floral resource density being the key factor. This research challenges conventional wisdom and offers good news for farmers in space-starved cities.
Researchers will evaluate recent excavation sites and previous finds from 79 archaeological sites, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Nok Culture. The study aims to shed light on the societal development, economy, and role of iron metallurgy in this ancient culture.
A study published in HortScience confirms that sweet potato leaves are a good source of vitamins, particularly vitamin B6. The research found that young leaves contained the highest levels of ascorbic acid, while mature leaves provided significant amounts of vitamin B6.
Younger basil plants (2-3 weeks old) are more susceptible to downy mildew than older plants. Applying a fungicide like acibenzolar-S-methyl before pathogen infection can significantly reduce disease severity in older plants.
Research found that abscisic acid (ABA) treatments can increase calcium concentrations in tomato fruit, reducing the risk of blossom-end rot. ABA applications were effective in early stages of plant development, but additional treatments may be needed for later stages.
A new non-destructive device called the mini-Horhizotron measures plant root growth in greenhouse production, allowing for effective study of treatment and substrate effects. The device provides valuable insight into root growth and development, enabling researchers to investigate factors influencing root growth in container production.
University of Pittsburgh researchers Matthew Koski and Tia-Lynn Ashman proved that Gloger's rule exists among flowers, where larger bull's-eye centers are associated with higher levels of ultraviolet light near the equator. This finding expands our understanding of biological responses to global climate change.
Researchers at UNH have successfully grown bulbing onions planted in fall using low tunnels, allowing for a spring harvest. The study found that cultivar selection plays a critical role in successful overwintering of onion production systems in cold climates.
Researchers have found that green walls are suitable for absorbing environmental noise and acting as acoustic insulation, improving life quality and reducing pollution. The study also shows that green walls can be effective in high and low frequencies, making them a potential solution for acoustic insulation.
A study found unheated high tunnels to be an effective method for finishing cold-tolerant annuals, reducing plant mortality and delays in days to flower. The use of high tunnels also led to improvements in measures of plant quality, such as shorter, more compact plants.
Researchers identify nine genes involved in making cucurbitacin, a compound with anti-cancer and diabetes properties. Domestication tweaked cucumber genetics to make fruit more edible, but the same compounds have potential therapeutic applications.
A study found that 'Tete-a-Tete', 'Dutch Master', and 'Ice Follies' daffodils can tolerate high levels of salt without compromising their visual quality. The cultivars demonstrated ability to maintain K+:Na+ ratio above 1, helping them resist negative effects of Na+, making them suitable for cut flower production and landscapes.
The study using Google Analytics found that online plant databases are visited by users in over 100 countries, with mobile traffic growing steadily. This highlights the democratization of botanical information, equal access for researchers worldwide, and reduced wear on biodiversity objects.
A new study by UCLA scientists found that plants have limited wiggle room to survive drought due to their plasticity. Most plant species accumulate salts in their cell sap to fine-tune their tolerance, but this adjustment only provides a relatively narrow degree of additional drought tolerance.
The FITOVID project aims to reduce fungal disease treatment in vineyards by applying less product and using new technologies for early detection. Researchers test alternative strategies, including 'zero waste' products, to boost sustainable management of pests and diseases.
Scientists at LSU have made a breakthrough in understanding photosynthesis by analyzing two critical plant proteins, PsbP and PsbQ. The study reveals how these proteins interact to facilitate oxygen production, providing new insights into the process.
UC Riverside researchers have identified a new molecular mechanism for resistance and susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum, a common fungus causing wilt in tomato plants. The study reveals that microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with specific targets contributing to resistance.
Researchers found that plants compartmentalize repair processes in specialized photosynthetic membranes, allowing for efficient energy conversion and protein repair. This insight could lead to the development of crops with improved repair mechanisms for hot and bright climates.
Researchers identify two microRNAs that suppress NB domain genes in resistant tomato cultivar Motelle, allowing it to fight off the wilting fungus. The findings shed light on the molecular basis of plant immunity and suggest a new approach for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Scientists have discovered that wild tomato species like Solanum habrochaites and Solanum peruvianum contain higher levels of antioxidants, which can help improve the health-related characteristics of cultivated tomatoes. The study provides valuable insights for breeding programs aiming to enhance antioxidant traits in elite tomato lines.
Researchers found that plant seeds can be pre-colonized with beneficial bacteria, providing enhanced microbial protection. This discovery has significant implications for creating food-safe antimicrobials and understanding the importance of early colonization in establishing a healthy microbiome.
Researchers found that environmental filtering is the main driver of plant diversity variation along resource gradients in ancient dunes. The study used a chronosequence of soils to test alternative theories and provided new insights into biodiversity.