Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers created a new class of plant growth regulators that block auxin transport, controlling growth processes without hormonal activity or toxicity concerns. The inhibitors are expected to reduce environmental impact and safety risks associated with current growth regulators.
Plant-based researchers are developing adaptive structures inspired by Mimosa's ability to twist, bend, stiffen, and heal. Artificial cells mimic the mechanisms behind plants' nastic motions, leading to innovative technologies like shape-changing robots and morphing wings for airplanes.
Researchers studying plant growth discover that universal features exist across various natural systems, including plants and animals. Alan Newell's work focuses on the mathematical models capturing these similarities.
Researchers have discovered two new plant species, Taraxacum decastroi and Taraxacum lacianense, which join over 50 other species within the Taraxacum genus on the Iberian Peninsula. The discovery confirms Spain's position as a hotbed of biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that filaree seeds have a spring mechanism that stores energy in their dry awns, which act as springs to launch the seeds by up to 0.5m. This unique mechanism allows the seeds to drill into the ground and germinate, contributing to the plant's success.
Researchers found that bee-pollinated Penstemon species have distinct genetic clusters per mountain range, while bird-pollinated species show less genetic structure across ranges. Hummingbirds facilitate gene flow among distant populations, constraining local adaptations.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of solar cell that can self-repair like natural photosynthetic systems. The technology uses carbon nanotubes and DNA to continuously replace damaged dye molecules, mimicking nature's self-repair mechanism.
A new study found that grafting melon plants onto commercial rootstocks significantly improves nitrogen use efficiency, reducing the need for nitrate-rich fertilizer. This approach allows growers to maintain high crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts.
A study investigated willow cut-stem producers' profiles, production practices and market value. Most growers sought to expand acreage and extend seasonal markets, with some citing limited scientific knowledge of the crop.
Researchers found that high-nitrogen fertilizers can accelerate establishment of areca palm and Chinese hibiscus, but also induce magnesium deficiency. A balanced approach with moderate nitrogen levels is recommended for optimal plant quality.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that honeybees can avoid toxic nectar through taste and learning, suggesting a potential factor in colony health under stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding how bees detect and avoid toxins to breed non-toxic plants.
Researchers discover parasites within the fungus help it adapt and overcome plant defenses, leading to rapid evolution and devastating impact on agricultural yield. The study could lead to significant advances in developing new agricultural techniques for protecting cereal crops from infection.
A NASA computer modeling effort found that increased plant growth in a world with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could create a cooling effect, reducing future global warming. The model predicts a -0.3 degrees Celsius globally and -0.6 degrees C over land.
Researchers have found a finely tuned process that enables plants to adjust their genes to daylight patterns, shedding light on human responses to disrupted daily rhythms. This discovery could provide new insights into coping with jet lag and shift work.
The University of Arizona is receiving $2.9 million to improve the safety and post-harvest quality of field-grown organic leafy greens. Researchers will test edible films, compost teas, and irrigation water for bacterial contamination, aiming to provide safer products for consumers while increasing profitability for growers.
Swiss researchers found that mountain ranges offer habitat diversity that may be crucial for species survival under changing climate conditions. The study suggests that these regions are 'safer' places to live, with only a small percentage of temperature conditions disappearing.
Researchers found E. coli can survive and contaminate lettuce and radish plants grown in manure-treated fields. Harvesting produce at least 40 days after planting can minimize the risk of contamination.
The discovery of Yizhousaurus sunae sheds light on the evolution of sauropod dinosaurs. The ancient creature lived around 200 million years ago with a long neck and robust skeleton, exhibiting hallmarks of later sauropods.
Researchers discovered that black truffles outcross, meaning they have opposite mating types and engage in sexual reproduction. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that truffles reproduce through self-fertilization alone.
Growing plants with red flowers or striped blooms can significantly increase the number of visits from bumblebees, according to a study by Norwich BioScience Institutes. The research found that stripes following the veins of flowers provide a visual guide for pollinators, directing them to nectar and pollen.
A team of chemists used artificial neural networks to analyze tea leaves' mineral content and identify the type of tea. The technique achieved a high accuracy rate, allowing for clear differentiation between white, green, black, Oolong, and red tea varieties.
Researchers found that 10 out of 17 Veronica species in New Zealand's alpine environment exhibit hygrochasy, a type of seed dispersal mechanism that combines plant movement with moisture response. The study challenges the traditional view of plant movement and highlights the diversity of plant adaptations to environmental conditions.
A genetic inversion in the monkeyflower plant's genome contributes to its adaptation to different environments, leading to reproductive isolation and a shift towards becoming two separate species.
Researchers from the USDA have identified a group of enzymes known as feruloyl esterases that can break down key links between plant cell wall polymers. These enzymes, produced by certain microbes, have been isolated and cloned for use in Escherichia coli to improve biofuel production efficiency.
The new southern highbush blueberry 'Blue Suede' produces attractive light-blue fruit and large flavorful berries. It features vigorous growth with deep-red fall foliage and a longer ripening period, allowing home gardeners to harvest over an extended period.
Researchers have identified bilirubin as the primary aril pigment in Strelitzia reginae, the Bird of Paradise plant. This discovery expands our understanding of color production in plants and has potential applications for breeding and genetics.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that certain plant substances can suppress damage that can cause skin cancer. The substances were tested on mice and proved protective even at low doses, with synergistic effects seen when given in combination.
Plant scientists have made a significant advance in developing drought-resistant crops by understanding how the synthetic chemical pyrabactin works. By identifying subtle differences between receptors in their binding pockets, researchers can now develop more effective chemicals for bringing drought-resistance to plants.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify CSI1 protein involved in cellulose synthesis, linked to improved cell wall digestibility and energy generation. The discovery aims to increase animal feed efficiency and tap into plant cell walls as a renewable energy source.
Scientists use four imaging techniques to visualize single cells in detail, cellular substructures, and chemical composition of zinnia cells, indicating an abundance of lignocellulose. This research aims to enhance understanding of cell wall molecular architecture for efficient conversion of biomass to liquid fuels.
A study by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that radiation drives stomatal response, rather than just humidity. This breakthrough has significant implications for weather forecasting, climate change research, and agriculture.
The study found significant variation in root systems among various corn genotypes, with regions in the maize genome responsible for inheritance. The team developed innovative technology to analyze root complexity using fractal dimensions and statistical software, allowing them to correlate differences with genetic makeup.
Researchers discovered that plants integrate information about food location and competitors to develop unique root growth strategies. This complexity is a level of sophistication previously thought exclusive to animals.
Researchers predict perennial grain crops could be available in two decades, offering a sustainable solution to feed the world's growing population. These crops have longer growing seasons, deeper roots, and require fewer herbicides and equipment passes, reducing erosion and sequestering carbon.
Researchers found that manipulating fungal genetics increases rice growth by five-fold, addressing global phosphate reserves critically low issues. The breakthrough exploits the fungus's genetic variation and segregation processes without introducing new genes.
Researchers found that resistant wheat plants under attack by Hessian fly larvae increase production of surface waxes and cutin, a molecule responsible for rigidity and integrity of epidermal cells. Susceptible plants have genes turned off, making them more permeable to the larvae.
Researchers have found that spraying low concentrations of a compound known as thidiazuron (TDZ) significantly extends the life of potted plants' leaves and flowers. In tests with greenhouse-grown cyclamen plants, TDZ-treated plants had a longer life than unsprayed plants.
The study found that Galenia pubescens outcompetes native plants, altering ecosystem function and causing a decline in species diversity. Effective control measures are necessary to prevent further invasion and mitigate its impacts on Mediterranean-climate coastal ecosystems.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered that the plant hormone jasmonic acid regulates nectar production in rapeseed flowers, a critical process for pollination. The study found that jasmonic acid triggers nectar accumulation in response to floral development, regardless of herbivore attack.
A study found that agave fructans can boost calcium absorption, potentially preventing osteoporosis. Fructans also have anti-inflammatory properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels.
The researchers suggest establishing specific risk zones in urban areas to focus resources on preventing exotic pest invasions. Plant pests like the red imported fire ant cost the US $37.1 billion annually, with coastal states at greatest risk for invasion.
Researchers found that goldenrod plants with nodding stems resist gall-inducing flies and are more resistant to egg-laying, while straightened stems offer no advantage. The 'ducking' behavior is a gradual growth response that confers resistance against insect attacks.
Researchers at the University of Leicester are investigating the ancestry of saffron-producing crocus flowers to improve crop sustainability and quality. By analyzing genetic diversity, they aim to recreate rare varieties using wild plant crosses.
Research by USDA scientists found that cows can efficiently graze pastures with easily accessible leaves, reducing the need for time and land. This approach enables ranchers to better estimate how long to leave cattle in a pasture and how large to make it.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discover two genetic master switches that determine a plant's polar axis, with one group promoting root development and the other shoot growth. The study reveals an antagonistic relationship between these switches, which are regulated by multiple mechanisms to ensure proper spatial distribution.
Researchers identify progesterone in leaves of Common Walnut tree using advanced laboratory techniques, challenging conventional wisdom that only animals can produce the hormone. The discovery may change scientific understanding of progesterone's evolution and function in living things.
A new theory explains why some plants produce large seeds, while others produce small seeds in abundance. Helene Muller-Landau's tolerance-fecundity model reveals that plant species can coexist under different environmental stresses.
A recent study found that introducing new genes from distant populations to damaged ecosystems can have negative consequences on native populations. However, the introduction of genes from nearby, contrasting environments can lead to poorer seedling performance and reduced fitness over time.
Researchers found that corn plants in no-till fields experience intense competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to reduced yields. The leftover corn residue creates patches of soil with lower temperatures and different nutrient content, resulting in significant height differences among plants.
Researchers discovered that soil clings to precipitation after a dry summer and holds it tightly, preventing it from mixing with other water. This challenges conventional thinking on watershed function and has implications for understanding pollutant movement and nutrient transport.
Researchers discovered a single gene, SIMYB12, that regulates the production of yellow pigments and other substances in tomatoes. The mutation affects flavonoid levels, leading to less lycopene and altered cuticle composition.
A group of US plant pathologists came together in Boston in 1909 to discuss plant problems and establish a new field of science. Their efforts led to significant progress in diagnosing and controlling plant diseases, benefiting the US agriculture industry.
A recent study by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that vermicompost derived from pig manure can produce healthy hibiscus plants. The treatment resulted in improved plant growth and flower production, with an average increase of 58% in plant dry weight and 93% more flowers compared to conventional nursery crop inputs.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute determine molecular structure of plant hormone receptors, paving the way for engineer crops that thrive in harsh environments. The discovery also has implications for stress disorders in humans.
Researchers at Purdue University found that the recovery of understory plants from logging depends on a forest's history and climate. The study, published in Forest Ecology and Management, suggests that forests with similar climate conditions can recover differently from logging due to their past disturbances.
A rare woodland plant, Monotropsis odorata, has evolved 'cryptic coloration' as a defense mechanism to avoid herbivores. The plant's bracts function as camouflage, making it blend in with its surroundings, which increases its fitness and survival rate.
Researchers found that certain wild flax plants growing in poor soils can balance stress and reduce the risk of infection from a fungal pathogen. This suggests that stressful environments may be attractive to plants, providing a refuge from pathogens, but requiring adaptation to survive.
Research by Nick Fulcher and Robert Sablowski found that plant stem cells are sensitive to DNA damage and can detect defects, triggering cell death to prevent them from being passed on. This mechanism helps protect plants against genetic damage caused by environmental stresses such as drought, high salinity, and hazardous chemicals.
Researchers found that Impatiens pallida, also known as yellow jewelweed, can recognize its relatives and adjust its resource allocation accordingly. The plant responds differently to aboveground cues depending on whether it's competing with a relative or a stranger.
Research reveals that broccoli contains abundant levels of the carotenoid lutein, an antioxidant linked to improved eye health and reduced risk of cancer. Lutein levels are influenced by genetics, not environment, making it a promising target for breeding programs aimed at producing higher-lutein broccoli varieties.