Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers are developing new prebiotic ingredients to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Studies show that consuming more prebiotics can improve gut balance and lead to various health benefits, particularly for individuals with gastrointestinal diseases, Type-2 diabetes, and low-grade inflammation.
Two new species of rare forget-me-nots have been added to Flora of New Zealand, found in the mountains of the South Island. These uncommon species are Nationally Critical due to their low population numbers and habitat specificity.
Ontologies enable computers to transform information into knowledge by attaching meaning to data. This allows scientists to access and analyze large datasets more efficiently, facilitating breakthroughs in plant science and beyond.
A recent study found that soil microbes play a crucial role in helping plants survive the effects of global changes, such as increased CO2 concentrations and altered precipitation patterns. By interacting with microbes, plants can adapt to drought stress more quickly, allowing them to thrive in new environments.
A breakthrough in technology has enabled the removal of unwanted toxins from crops, making oilseed rape more suitable for animal feed. This innovation could significantly enhance the use of rapeseed meal and promote more sustainable farming practices.
New research from Carnegie's Zhiyong Wang laboratory identifies key aspects of the hormonal responses of plants to changes in light and heat. The study reveals a biochemical 'command system' that integrates multiple environmental and hormonal signals into growth regulation.
A new species of wirerush has been discovered in the peatlands of northern New Zealand. The species, Empodisma robustum, exhibits unique ecological adaptations that enable it to thrive in nutrient-poor environments. This discovery sheds light on the diversity and ecology of the genus Restionaceae.
Researchers analyzed leaves from herbarium specimens and found a 2mm decrease in leaf width over 127 years. This response highlights the impact of climate change on Australian plant species, with Narrow-leaf Hopbush exhibiting narrower leaves in warmer temperatures.
Researchers at Cornell University have decoded a gene that contributes to tomato sugar, carbohydrates, and carotenoid levels. The uniform ripening mutation, which commercial breeders select for, eliminates photosynthesis in fruit, reducing sugar levels.
A study suggests that the evolution of fungi capable of breaking down lignin may have played a key role in ending coal deposits. The findings propose that this ability allowed for the complete breakdown of dead plant matter into carbon dioxide, releasing it into the atmosphere instead of accumulating as coal.
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the US tomato industry by introducing new varieties with improved flavor and quality. The study, published in Science, reveals two transcription factors responsible for the trait in wild and traditional tomatoes.
A University of Georgia study reveals that native clearweed plants have evolved resistance to invasive garlic mustard, and the invasive species is countering with its own chemical warfare. The study provides evidence of coevolution between native and invasive plant species, suggesting a potential for ecosystem equilibrium over time.
A new analysis found that over two-thirds of recently approved pesticide active ingredients have roots in natural substances. Scientists have discovered that biological and natural products-based pesticides are a rich source of new active ingredients.
The Missouri Botanical Garden will support the development of a comprehensive online resource for plant species, improving access and analysis for scientists and conservationists. The $3 million gift from Monsanto Company will fund the garden's contributions to this international endeavor from 2012 to 2015.
Climate change is causing glacier lilies to bloom earlier than expected, disrupting the timing of broad-tailed hummingbirds' arrival, which depends on the flowers for nectar. The biologists predict that if current trends continue, hummingbirds will miss the first blooms entirely in two decades.
Researchers found that plant species reproducing sexually have stronger disease resistance due to increased adaptive evolution of the chitinase gene. This supports the theory that sex provides a genetic advantage in adapting to environmental changes.
Researchers are launching a nationwide effort to conserve crop wild relatives in the US, recognizing that these plants have value in adapting food systems to climate change. The plants' genetic material could be used to breed drought-resistant crops, making them essential for global agriculture.
A study published in Nature reveals the cellular secrets of plant fatty acid production, highlighting a key enzyme that can be engineered to increase oil content in crops. The findings have significant implications for food security, renewable energy, and biomedicine, potentially leading to higher-yield crops and new bio-renewable fuels.
Researchers have found a genetic mutation in Scandinavian barley varieties that disrupts the circadian clock, allowing them to flower earlier than southern counterparts. This adaptation enables crops to thrive in regions with short growing seasons, providing new tools for breeding and developing more resilient crops.
A new study published in Science magazine reveals that plant diversity is essential for maintaining productive ecosystems. The research found that each species plays a unique role in maintaining soil fertility and biomass production over time.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that each species plays a crucial role in maintaining a productive ecosystem when considering long-term effects. The research found that increasing plant diversity led to gradual increases in both soil fertility and biomass production over a 14-year period.
A study of 50 plant studies across four continents found that experimentally induced shifts in plant timing are underestimated by at least fourfold compared to long-term records. Long-term historical records consistently show a 5-6 day advance per degree Celsius, with potential consequences for species diversity and ecosystem services.
Recent research suggests that plant-derived biofuels could meet 30% of the global demand for liquid transportation fuels without affecting food production. Scientists have identified non-edible plants as a promising area of research to produce biofuels sustainably.
A new study has found that experiments underestimate plant responses to climate change, with shifts in flowering and leafing timing being much greater than estimated. Long-term historical records show that many plant species have shifted their leafing and flowering earlier, in step with warming temperatures over recent decades.
A plant disease normally found in subarctic climates has been identified for the first time in the UK in buttercups as far south as Herefordshire. The fungus, Sclerotinia subarctica, affects both crops and wild plants, with severe effects on carrots but minimal impact on meadow buttercups.
A pan-European study reveals that mountain plants are shifting to higher altitudes, but also experiencing reduced species richness. Climate warming and drought stress are threatening alpine plant diversity worldwide.
A recent study found that plant species living in urban backyards are closer related to each other and live shorter than those in rural areas. The study, conducted by Jeannine Cavender-Bares and Sonja Knapp, analyzed the diversity of plant species in private yards in Minneapolis and compared it to nearby natural ecosystems.
Researchers at University of Nottingham use math to study gibberellin hormone affecting plant growth, identifying key interactions between feedback loops. This work aims to improve crop varieties and address global food security concerns.
Researchers at VIB discovered a new transport mechanism for auxin, allowing plants to direct their growth towards the light and absorb sunlight efficiently. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient crop growth and higher yields by regulating auxin levels in specific areas.
Researchers identified the genetic basis of a mutation in sunflowers that results in double-flowered varieties depicted by Van Gogh. The study found a single dominant gene responsible for creating the mutation, which disrupts the production of ray florets.
Researchers reveal a genetic mutation behind the distinctive double-flowered sunflowers depicted in Van Gogh's paintings, which has been hidden for over a century. The study identifies a disrupted gene responsible for creating the mutated trait.
Researchers have successfully diagnosed a new species of plant using DNA barcoding, a method that relies on short DNA sequences for identification. The study marks a significant shift towards English-language diagnoses, which will enable scientists to more easily share and verify findings.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a novel procedure to assess plant species diversity in an area by analyzing vegetation information collected by satellites over time. This allows resource managers to evaluate biodiversity without collecting regionwide field data.
A team of Australian scientists has bred salt tolerance into a variety of durum wheat, showing improved grain yield by 25% on salty soils. The research uses non-GM crop breeding techniques and introduces a salt-tolerant gene that works by excluding sodium from the leaves.
A 15-year study found that artificial wetlands can take up more carbon from the atmosphere than natural ones, but may release methane. Both types of wetlands removed large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from river water. The study suggests long-term ecological research is useful for determining human intervention's success.
Plant steroid hormones brassinosteroids play a crucial role in regulating the number and distribution of stomata on leaves. Research found that brassinosteroids inhibit the protein BIN2, allowing stomata formation when present and inhibiting it when absent.
A recent study by Mehmet Isleyen and colleagues found that grafted watermelon plants accumulate pesticide levels up to 140 times higher than non-grafted watermelons. The researchers advise commercial farmers to exercise caution when using this grafting practice to minimize exposure to pesticides.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that greenhouse bedding plant growers can increase profits by providing cuttings with sufficient light. The study showed that plants rooted faster and were of higher quality when exposed to more light.
A study by U of I associate professor Marty Williams found that increasing plant populations can affect crop growth and development, with varying effects among different hybrids. The average optimal plant population for maximizing yield differed by over 9,000 plants per acre among the six tested hybrids.
A new species, Solanum baretiae, has been named in honor of Jeanne Baret, a Frenchwoman who disguised herself as a man to work on a historic botany expedition. The species is endemic to southern Ecuador and northern Peru, reflecting Baret's adventurous spirit.
A molecular 'maturation clock' has been identified that regulates the number of branches in tomato plants, leading to increased flower and fruit production. Manipulating this clock could provide agricultural benefits by slowing down branching, resulting in more fruits.
Research on Trichoderma highlights its use as biocontrol agents to reduce chemical pesticide use, improving food security. The fungus also forms symbiotic associations with plants, altering gene expression to increase plant growth and productivity.
A new technology called RootChip enables scientists to analyze root tissue in intact live plants, revolutionizing the field of root studies. The device monitors real-time responses to environmental changes, revealing key insights into nutrient acquisition and carbon sequestration.
Researchers developed an all-natural foliar spray that enhances plants' innate 'anti-freeze' properties, reducing cold damage and mortality by up to 1 USDA hardiness zone. The non-toxic spray is friendly to both plants and the environment.
Researchers found that chrysanthemum plants adapted to irregular light periods, promoting rapid leaf development. The study's results suggest that these changes can be induced by low average light intensity, potentially reducing supplemental lighting costs in greenhouses.
Researchers have introduced a new variety of caladium, 'UF-172', boasting large attractive pink blotches and red petioles, ideal for use in large containers and landscapes. The new variety outperforms existing cultivars in terms of tuber yield potential and container forcing.
Raising seedlings with blue light increases crop yield and quality by boosting phenolic compounds. Studies found that blue light-treated seedlings had higher leaf areas, shoot fresh weight, and antioxidant activity compared to those grown under red or white fluorescent light.
A study reveals that plant cells use sugar to control the size of plasmodesmata, regulating the passage of signaling molecules. This spatial and temporal control influences root formation during plant development.
Researchers have identified a critical component of a molecular pump system that transports sugars throughout plants, which could lead to increased crop yields and improve food security. The discovery also provides new insights into plant pathology and offers potential solutions for protecting crops from pests.
Researchers found vermicompost amendments in organic substrates significantly enhanced tomato growth and yield. The addition of vermicompost resulted in lower incidence of defective fruit, further increasing the benefits for organic production.
A new species of gall maker was discovered in the aphid genus Aleurodaphis in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The species, Aleurodaphis sinojackiae, forms leaf galls on Jack trees and has distinctive wax gland arrangements, shedding light on the unique characteristics of this plant lice.
A US Department of Agriculture scientist identified a rare grass-like sedge as blue sedge, native to Asia and Australia, found growing near the gravesites of a royal Gypsy family in Mississippi. The plant's restricted distribution and invasive traits suggest it could cause problems in US lawn and turf systems.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered how a barley plant recognizes an invader within five minutes of an attack, triggering its defenses. This breakthrough could lead to new ways to battle crop diseases, potentially defeating evolving threats like Ug99.
New research reveals that birds pollinate Babiana plants with specialized perches, and these perches can be smaller or larger depending on geographical location. This unique adaptation allows the plant to adopt different mating strategies depending on the availability of sunbird pollinators.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a crucial gene, DET1, that regulates the plant circadian clock. This finding could lead to engineering plants that can thrive in different seasons and locations. By understanding the circadian rhythm, farmers may be able to grow crops year-round, reducing seasonal limitations.
Researchers have discovered a method to overcome the chemical intractability of cellulose, allowing its efficient conversion into bioethanol. This breakthrough represents a major step towards industrial production of fuels and chemicals from renewable cellulose in waste plant matter.
USDA scientists have developed a new biorefinery yeast that can ferment plant sugars into cellulosic ethanol despite the presence of toxic compounds. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain NRRL Y-50049, has shown remarkable tolerance to furfural and HMF, two compounds that inhibit yeast growth and reduce ethanol yields.
Researchers at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture have completed two drought simulators designed to mimic real-world conditions. The simulators, measuring 50 feet by 100 feet, will enable in-depth testing under varying environmental conditions and improve food security for farmers.
Scientists applied theoretical morphology techniques to study terpenes in plants, discovering a disparity between predicted and actual abundances. They found that nature favors rarer, harder-to-synthesize forms of these chemicals, which could lead to new effective drugs.
An international team led by a visiting researcher at IU has formally named a new class of fungi, Archaeorhizomyces, previously only known through DNA sequencing. The discovery estimates up to 250 species within the class and sheds light on their ecological roles in terrestrial ecosystems.