Articles tagged with Plants
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.
A new analysis of plants in grassland ecosystems worldwide reveals that most species are crucial for ecosystem functioning. Researchers found that 84% of grassland species promote ecosystem functioning at some point, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of diversity.
Researchers have identified a genetic mechanism that enables viruses to infect plants, causing diseases. By targeting the CHL1 gene, CMV and its satellite virus cause yellowing symptoms in plants by preventing chlorophyll production. This breakthrough allows for the development of altered plant varieties with resistant genes.
Researchers at the University of Miami have developed a technique to track urban atmospheric plumes using ethanol's isotopic signature, which can indicate the presence of manmade biofuels. The discovery has significant implications for understanding air pollution in urban areas and mitigating its effects on human health.
A rainforest vine has evolved a dish-shaped leaf with strong echoes to attract bat pollinators. The researchers found that the leaf reduces search times by 50% when presented above a feeder, indicating its effectiveness as an echo beacon.
Researchers found that fully photosynthetic orchids associate with specific fungal clades, not shared with other sympatric orchids, and depend on their symbionts for nutrition. The study used stable isotope analysis to assess how much of the organic carbon and nitrogen in orchid tissue was acquired from their fungal partners.
A study found that female plants can control which pollen grains reach their ovules by delaying stigma receptivity, resulting in increased paternal diversity and seed production. This mechanism enhances offspring fitness in the annual herb Collinsia.
The study investigated the relationship between epidermal vacuolar pH and factors affecting color, finding that corals have the highest pH suitable for producing blue hues. This data suggests targeting corals for transformation to create new blue flowers.
A new, non-destructive method for estimating leaf area index (LAI) in vegetables has been developed using a commercial camera and free software. The study produced accurate and inexpensive results comparable to more expensive indirect methods.
Xuemei Chen, a leading plant scientist at UC Riverside, has been awarded an HHMI-GBMF Investigator grant for her groundbreaking research on small RNA and microRNA. The grant will support high-risk projects aimed at uncovering fundamental mechanisms in biology with potential applications to agriculture and medicine.
Researchers found that Hessian flies can trigger strong defenses in wheat plants, causing them to release essential nutrients to the insects. However, avirulent larvae can sometimes survive by reversing these defenses, potentially extending the durability of resistance.
Researchers have identified a wood-digesting enzyme in bacteria that could make sustainable biofuels more economically viable. The discovery could unlock currently unattainable sources of biofuels, particularly from fast-growing woody plants and crop byproducts.
Mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant growth with less phosphate fertilizer, solving a pressing challenge for global food production. Researchers have discovered that using mycorrhizal fungus gel can produce the same yield as traditional farming with up to half less phosphate fertilizer.
A global analysis of invasive plant impacts found that 135 species cause a 40% reduction in native plant abundance and a 50% decrease in species diversity. This study highlights the context-dependent nature of invasions, with impacts varying by species traits, ecosystem type, and duration.
The USDA has safeguarded a diverse collection of blueberries, including wild relatives and lesser-known species, to ensure their preservation for future generations. The genebank will provide plant breeders with access to these plants as parents for new and improved blueberry varieties.
Louis Santiago, a UC Riverside botanist, has received the USDA E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship to support his work in encouraging Hispanic students to pursue research. He aims to establish grants and partnerships that will provide opportunities for students like Fortino Morales and Jeffrey Ambriz to work on state and federal levels.
Researchers at ISU have discovered a new pathway that allows plants to activate a response to environmental stress, leading to reduced yields. Understanding this pathway could lead to the development of crops that can tolerate stress and maintain high productivity.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham's Malaysia campus are working on a new method to improve the commercial production of vanilla plants through tissue culture. The research aims to overcome issues with genetic instability in micropropagated sub-clones, which can lead to reduced quality and yield.
A Finnish study suggests that urban children have weaker connections to nature than their rural counterparts. Horticultural interventions can help bridge this gap, particularly for girls who show greater interest in plants. The research also highlights the importance of outdoor learning environments.
A study found that contaminated fungi attached to ryegrass roots help plants absorb toxic contaminants like acenaphthene. This process affects not only plant health but also poses risks to human health through environmental exposure.
The study highlights plants' ability to adapt to changing environments without requiring evolutionary changes, enabling them to survive in diverse ecosystems. The researchers suggest that species from more heterogeneous environments exhibit greater plasticity, which can aid in projecting plant ranges under climate change scenarios.
A University of Missouri researcher is leading a $6.6 million study to understand the genes that regulate carbohydrate transport in corn plants, aiming to improve yield, drought resistance and biofuel production.
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.