Articles tagged with Plants
Researchers found that scheduling irrigation according to daily water use (DWU) substantially reduced irrigation application compared to control methods, while maintaining or improving plant growth. The study categorized woody ornamental plants into low, moderate, and high water users, allowing for more efficient watering strategies.
Researchers found that manipulating light quality using photoselective films reduces plant height and conserves plant quality in poinsettias. The study suggests a viable alternative to chemical plant growth regulators for commercial growers, promoting sustainable production methods.
Research found that handling African violets with gloved hands resulted in lower damage ratings and better plant quality. In contrast, plants brushed with bare hands to which lotion had been applied showed decreased plant size and quality. The study suggests that 'hands off' is the best approach for healthier African violet care.
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $6 million NSF-funded project to develop cyberCommons, an information commons for real-time ecological data and forecasts. This will enable ecologists to predict changes in weather's impact on plant carbon use and nitrogen storage.
Researchers at Scripps Research and UC San Diego have solved the structure of a critical molecule that helps plants survive during droughts. The study provides important clues about how hormones regulate crucial physiological responses in humans, potentially improving crop yields worldwide.
The report highlights a significant phytonutrient gap in the US, with 88% of Americans falling short in the blue/purple category. To close this gap, experts recommend consuming two servings from each of the five color categories per day, providing potential health benefits from promoting eye, bone and heart health.
Africanized bee invasion of Mexico's Yucatan led to a shift in pollination patterns, with native bees benefiting from increased availability of certain plant species. However, native populations in less diverse areas may be more vulnerable to invasions.
Plant scientists at the University of Montreal have discovered a key mechanism that enables plants to prevent dangerous gene alterations, ensuring their survival. This finding has implications for understanding gene repair mechanisms in humans and preventing devastating diseases.
Scientists have identified powerful antiviral compounds in the roots of Ferula assa-foetida, a plant used during the Spanish influenza pandemic. The sesquiterpene coumarins found in the plant showed greater potency against H1N1 flu virus than a prescription antiviral drug.
Researchers evaluate composted dairy manure as a substitute for peat in container plant propagation, showing promising results. The study demonstrates that cowpeat-based substrates have physical and chemical properties similar to commercial peat substrates and support healthy root growth.
A recent study published by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that conventional methods for measuring nitrate concentrations in plant tissue are often time-consuming, expensive, and impractical. The researchers developed a new method using rapid potentiometric and colorimetric techniques to measure nitrate concentrat...
A new cotton variety engineered to reduce toxic gossypol in seeds shows promising results, meeting WHO and FDA standards for human consumption. The crop could provide a sustainable protein source for millions of malnourished people worldwide.
A new and emerging disease, Watermelon Vine Decline (WVD), has caused devastating economic losses for watermelon producers in Florida. The disease, caused by the whitefly-transmitted squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), can lead to rapid vine collapse and marketable fruit loss.
A unique study has successfully isolated long DNA fragments from dried, pressed plant material collected in the 1700s by Linnaeus. The findings have significant implications for understanding the evolution of plant species and may allow for the creation of a living herbarium.
A Michigan State University researcher suggests that nitrates and nitrites in plant-based foods may provide health benefits, contradicting current regulations. The study's findings support the idea that consuming a diet rich in nitrate-containing vegetables can help lower blood pressure.
A study published in PNAS reveals that a period of global warming from 53-47 million years ago led to a biodiversity boom in western North America, with many new species of mammals appearing. However, as temperatures declined, diversity decreased and many mammalian groups went extinct.
Research reveals that plant crystals play a crucial role in deterring herbivory and protecting against calcium oxalate poisoning. Different types of crystals perform distinct functions, such as creating a sensation of chewing sand or expelling microscopic darts from the plant tissue.
A new study found that inhaling linalool, a key ingredient in aromatherapy, can alter gene activity and blood chemistry to reduce stress levels. The study also showed that linalool returned stress-elevated levels of immune cells to near-normal levels.
Researchers found that prairie dogs prefer plants with low levels of selenium, suggesting that high levels act as a deterrent. This suggests that plants may use metal hyperaccumulation to defend against herbivores, including prairie dogs.
Researchers found that sagebrush plants can communicate danger to their clones by emitting volatile cues, allowing them to avoid being eaten by herbivores. This complex behavior suggests that plants are capable of more sophisticated behavior than previously thought.
Scientists discovered 'snow roots' in Corydalis conorhiza plants, which extend through layers of snow to take up nitrogen. This unique adaptation allows the plant to feed on nutrients before the growing season begins.
Michigan State University researchers identify two new genes and two new enzymes in tomato plants that produce monoterpenes, a compound responsible for the plant's distinctive smell. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of how plants make monoterpenes, opening up new avenues for protecting plants from pests.
Scientists have successfully converted cellulose from plants directly into the building block HMF in one step, bypassing an earlier sugar-forming step. The single-step process generates a high yield of HMF and allows the use of raw cellulose as feed material.
Plant physiologists use UV LEDs to create darker, redder lettuce rich in antioxidants, potentially improving human health. The effect is most noticeable at specific wavelengths and increases with light intensity.
Researchers have dated mountain-building events in the eastern Andes range of Colombia to 25 million years ago, contradicting previous estimates of 10-15 million years. This new finding sheds light on the geological history of the region and its importance for understanding ancient animal migration patterns and oil-gas exploration.
A photoselective polyethylene greenhouse covering film has been proven effective in controlling the height of potted gardenia plants. The study showed that this technology can reduce the need for chemical growth retardants, decreasing production costs and environmental pollution. However, further research is needed to optimize its use.
The Lignocellulose Center aims to increase knowledge of plant cell walls and improve fuel conversion methods. Researchers will explore the physical structure of lignocellulose and its role in producing biorenewable energy.
Research finds that atmospheric pollution has enhanced global plant productivity by up to a quarter since 1960, leading to a 10% increase in carbon stored by the land. This unexpected effect occurs due to increased diffuse radiation reaching the Earth's surface under hazy conditions.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a process called sumoylation that regulates gene activity involved in seed germination and seedling development. The study found that sumoylation is essential for controlling significant plant characteristics, including freeze tolerance and phosphate absorption.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a corn variety with increased biomass, which can be used as an energy crop and as feed for livestock. The modified plants produce larger stalks and more leaves, leading to increased sugar content in the stalks.
A new red raspberry cultivar, 'Moutere', has been developed in a planned breeding program at The New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research Limited. This variety is characterized by high yields of large, uniform size, bright red berries suitable for early season consumption.
Researchers in a study published in HortTechnology identified two high-quality banana cultivars suitable for commercial production in southern Georgia: 'Manzano' and '1780'. These cultivars can produce over six suckers per plant, generating a potential income of over $60 per plant.
A Purdue University researcher has discovered a way to increase access to cellulose in plant cell walls by shredding corn stover instead of chopping. This results in better access to the main component needed for making ethanol. Shredding corn stalks also increases the surface area of the material and reduces energy consumption.
The new blackberry 'Natchez', developed by the University of Arkansas, produces large fruit with an exceptional glossy finish. It has exceeded postharvest performance in most years and is recommended for commercial shipping production.
Researchers at Michigan State University are using high-throughput genetic screening to identify genes affecting chloroplast structure and function, which could lead to plants bred for biofuel or high-nutrient content. This advanced technology gives scientists a broader perspective on plant metabolism than traditional methods.
A study by ASHS researchers found no correlation between pepper heat levels and resistance to Phytophthora blight. Instead, genetic differences, cuticle thickness, and other factors may play a role in fruit response to the disease.
Purdue University researchers identified a role for small-interfering RNAs in regulating and shutting down primary cell wall growth, which may enhance total plant biomass. This discovery could lead to increased cellulose production for plant-based biofuels.
Researchers found that plant roots have a mechanism to detect UV-B light levels, thanks to the RUS1 gene. This discovery sheds light on how plants respond to UV-B radiation, and may lead to better understanding of plant development.
Researchers at Washington University found that corridors improve species diversity in fragmented landscapes, with birds and wind-dispersed plants responding positively to connectivity. Surprisingly, unassisted plant species also benefited from corridor presence, suggesting possible assistance from mammals.
A unique fungus, Gliocladium roseum, has been discovered to produce diesel compounds from cellulose, offering a promising alternative to traditional biofuels. The fungus can make myco-diesel directly from cellulose, skipping a step in the production process.
Researchers convert olive stones into bioethanol using low-cost, eco-friendly process. Yields of 5.7kg ethanol per 100kg of olive stones reached in study published in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology.
Researchers found that PIN proteins are transported throughout the cell membrane and then endocytosed before being recycled and transported to the bottom of the cell. This mechanism allows plants to quickly adapt to changes in gravity, enabling new 'undersides' for roots and shoots.
A new experiment simulates predicted rainfall patterns and assesses the effect of diverse plant species on ecosystem responses. The study focuses on how changes in plant diversity modify key functions such as water processing, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage under changing climate conditions.
The number of alien plant species in Europe has more than tripled over the last 25 years, with 5789 species classified as invasive. The UK, Germany, and Belgium report the highest numbers of naturalized aliens, which can lead to long-term changes in ecosystems and economic costs.
Researchers have developed a new strain of bacteria that can convert waste plant fibre into ethanol, providing a potential solution to the UK's transport fuel needs. The process is energy-efficient and uses agricultural waste materials, offering greater environmental benefits than traditional biofuels.
Researchers found that capsaicin slows microbial growth and protects the fruit from Fusarium fungus, allowing seeds to be dispersed. The production of capsaicin comes at a cost for chili plants, with thin seed coats being a consequence of prioritizing chemical protection.
Researchers discovered a gene linked to melon sex switching, which suggests evolutionary selection favoring the mutation. This finding provides insights into the molecular basis of sex determination and different sexual systems in plants.
Researchers have released the world's most extensive collection of kiwifruit DNA sequences, which will help breeders create new varieties with improved nutritional content and desirable traits. The data is expected to speed up the development of new kiwifruit varieties through Marker Assisted Selection.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have identified a crucial gene involved in chloroplast iron acquisition and efficient photosynthesis. The FRO7 gene is essential for plants to take up iron from the soil, particularly in iron-deficient conditions.
A study found that plant sterols can accumulate in aortic valves, increasing the risk of stenosis. High levels of plant sterols were linked to higher blood concentrations, suggesting a potential health risk.
Researchers discovered that mammalian clock proteins respond directly to light, similar to plant cryptochromes. In humans and animals, this response affects circadian rhythms differently than in mice, where missing cryptochromes lead to complete loss of rhythm behaviors.
A genetic tool called RNA interference may help remove harmful microbes and viruses from drinking water. The approach, which targets a specific gene in a fungus found in water, has promise for solving safe drinking water issues in underdeveloped countries.
A study by Drs. Sophia Kamenidou and Todd J. Cavins found that silicon supplementation improved horticultural traits in greenhouse-produced sunflowers, such as increased stem diameter and flower quality, but also caused growth abnormalities at high concentrations.
Researchers found that luteolin and diosmin reduced levels of amyloid-beta, a protein that builds up in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's. The flavonoids work by targeting presenilin-1, a protein linked to the disease.
Researchers found evidence that fungi can 'lock' depleted uranium into a mineral form that may be less likely to find its way into plants, animals, or the water supply. Fungal-based approaches should not be neglected in remediation attempts for metal-polluted soils.
Researchers at UCR propose a novel pathway for how anti-aging compounds like EthylBloc and SmartFresh block ethylene's action on plants. This knowledge could guide the design of new ethylene-blocking chemicals, benefiting producers and consumers.
A new study by Dr. Terri Starman found that container gardens can increase in value with educational material, and most people prefer those with complementary color harmony for $25. The research suggests retailers should offer more extensive plant care information to cash in on the trend.
Researchers identified a new immune polyradiculoneuropathy affecting workers at several pork processing plants, causing nerve damage and inflammation in legs. Thirteen out of 15 patients showed elevated protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid and activation of their immune systems.
A new study suggests that daily consumption of CocoaVia dark chocolate bars containing cocoa flavanols and plant sterols significantly lowers total cholesterol by 2 percent and LDL cholesterol by 5.3 percent in individuals with elevated cholesterol. Regular consumption also reduces systolic blood pressure by 5 percent after 8 weeks.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have discovered how roots use a growth control mechanism to find their way through soil and overcome obstacles. By exploring the soil in a similar way to humans navigating in the dark, root hairs can sense and adapt to changes in their environment.