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Same plant species, different chemistry

Researchers at Bielefeld University propose a precise and unambiguous way to define chemotypes within a plant species, highlighting genetic and environmental factors influencing chemical composition. This systematic approach aims to improve understanding and practical applications of chemotypes in medicinal plants and agriculture.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalTrends in Plant Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2026

Tropical primary forest plants up-regulate root exudation to adapt to long-term high nitrogen deposition

A research team found that tropical forest plants increase root carbon exudation to stimulate phosphatase activity, mineralize organic P, and release organic acids to dissolve mineral-bound P. This adaptation helps alleviate P limitation under long-term N enrichment, sustaining productivity.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

A root development gene that’s older than root development

A Kobe University study finds that a gene regulating root development in vascular plants is also essential for organ development in liverworts, demonstrating the evolutionary dynamic of co-opting. The RLF protein, involved in this process, interacts with others to clarify plant organ development evolution.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2025

New insights into plant growth

A recent study revealed that brassinosteroids are distributed unevenly between new cells formed during cell division, influencing root growth and development. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how these hormones regulate plant growth and development at the cellular level.

SourceVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2025

High-yield rice breed emits up to 70% less methane

Scientists have identified chemical compounds released by rice roots that determine how much methane the plants emit. A new strain of rice was bred using traditional breeding methods, resulting in yields of 8.96 tons/hectare while emitting up to 70% less methane.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Plant·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Building roots in glass, a bio-inspired approach to creating 3D microvascular networks using plants and fungi

Researchers at Kyushu University develop a novel technique for building complex 3D microfluidic networks using plant roots and fungal hyphae in silica nanoparticles. This bio-inspired method enables the creation of intricate biological structures, opening new opportunities for research in plant and fungal biology.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024

Next generation biosensor reveals gibberellin’s critical role in legume nitrogen-fixation – paving the way for more productive legume crops and self-fertilizing cereals

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that the plant hormone gibberellin is essential for legume nitrogen-fixing root nodule formation and maturation. The study used a highly sensitive next-generation biosensor to visualize GA accumulation in specific zones of the root, revealing its critical role in nodulation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Plant Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024

Key nutrients help plants beat the heat

Researchers at Salk Institute found that higher temperatures drain plants of important dietary nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, affecting their long-term sustainability. The study's findings will inform the engineering of climate-resilient crops to address global warming's impact on food production.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2024

A new study reveals key role of plant-bacteria communication for the assembly of a healthy plant microbiome supporting sustainable plant nutrition

A new study in Nature Communications reveals that symbiotic bacteria play a critical role in modulating the profile of root secreted molecules, influencing the assembly of a symbiotic root microbiome. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between nitrogen nutrition and plant-bacteria interactions.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2024

Roots are a key to drought-tolerant maize

A study led by the University of Bonn analyzed over 9,000 maize varieties to identify their root structures and adaptability to dry conditions. The researchers found that seminal roots, which absorb nutrients rapidly, vary in number depending on the variety's ability to cope with drought.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

Maize genes control little helpers in the soil

Researchers discovered that maize genetic makeup affects which microorganisms cluster around roots, boosting root growth. The study found that specific bacteria, like Massilia, promote lateral root growth when nitrogen is scarce, suggesting a potential breeding strategy for drought-tolerant maize varieties.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024

Brown bears digging up artificial forests

Researchers found that brown bears' digging for cicada nymphs damages tree roots and alters soil nitrogen content, limiting tree diameter growth. This phenomenon is unique to human-planted conifer forests, with no similar effects in natural forests.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

Electronic “soil” enhances crop growth

Linköping University scientists create an electrically conductive substrate, eSoil, which enhances crop growth by up to 50% in just 15 days. This innovation enables efficient water and nutrient management, making it suitable for urban environments and areas with limited arable land.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2023

Less asphalt gives stronger trees in urban areas

Research from the University of Gothenburg found that trees surrounded by grass are stronger, taller, and cooler than those with paving close to the trunk. The study suggests investing in good soil and water for trees in urban areas where optimal conditions can be challenging.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2023

NUS-SCELSE scientists uncover plant hormone that recruits good bacteria to boost plant growth by 30%

Researchers at NUS-SCELSE have discovered a plant hormone, methyl jasmonate, that communicates with beneficial microorganisms in the soil, boosting crop growth by 30%. This finding holds great promise for sustainable agriculture and could lead to the development of nature-based agrochemicals.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2023

Switching from harmful to helpful fungi

Researchers found a single gene cluster that determines whether fungus aids or hinders plant growth, offering potential for reducing food waste and increasing crop yields. The study highlights the complex relationships between fungi and their host plants, challenging traditional views of pathogenic and mutualistic traits.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

Agriculture study delivers unexpected results

A recent study at the University of Bonn found that mixed cover crops grow thinner roots than single-type cover crops, contradicting previous assumptions. The researchers tested oil radish, winter rye, and crimson clover in different combinations and observed varying root growth patterns.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPlant and Soil·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

Roots are capable of measuring heat on their own, new study shows

Plant roots detect temperature changes and adjust their growth accordingly. Researchers found that root cells produce more auxin in response to elevated temperatures, stimulating cell division and allowing roots to grow deeper into the soil. This discovery could help develop new approaches for plant breeding against climate change.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Groundbreaking images of root chemicals offer new insights on plant growth

Researchers at UC San Diego and Stanford University have developed a roadmap of root chemicals that are critical to plant growth, providing new insights into plant development. The study reveals that key small molecules are clustered in patches across the root, suggesting a purposeful distribution for optimal growth.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2023

How plants use sugar to produce roots

Researchers at Heidelberg University have identified a molecular mechanism controlling root branching in plants, which involves the activity of the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein. The study found that glucose plays a crucial role in forming lateral roots, and TOR acts as a gatekeeper to regulate this process.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMay 22, 2023

Secret behind Amazonian 'dark earth' could help speed up forest restoration across the globe

Adding Amazonian dark earth to soils increases plant growth by 3-8 times compared to control soil. The nutrient-rich soil also supports a greater biodiversity of beneficial bacteria and archaea, which transform chemical particles into nutrients. This 'secret weapon' could help speed up forest restoration projects worldwide.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Soil Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2023

Beneficial bacteria a double-edged sword

Researchers found that a patented microbe, UD1022, protects alfalfa plants from fungal diseases, but it also disrupts the beneficial relationship between plants and rhizobium bacteria. This discovery highlights the complexity of bacteria-bacteria interactions and their impact on plant health.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPlants·DateApr 17, 2023

How plants adapt to nitrogen deficiency

Scientists have identified specific genetic variants in wheat and barley that enable plants to adapt to nitrogen deficiency by increasing root growth and improving nitrogen content. These findings offer promising opportunities for plant breeding to develop varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 30, 2023

Reducing pesticide pollution and the intensity of harvesting can increase crop yield and contribute to climate change mitigation

Researchers at the University of Turku found that reducing pesticide pollution and harvesting intensity can increase crop yields and contribute to climate change mitigation. By optimizing carbon sequestration and storage in soils, farmers can improve plant resilience and productivity, while minimizing environmental harm.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment·DateFeb 8, 2023

Scientists unravel millet genotype-microbiota interaction insights to enhance crop adaptability and yield

Researchers identified 257 rhizoplane microbial biomarkers associated with six key agronomic traits, revealing a complex association between millet genotype, root microbiome, and crop growth. The study provides insights into precision agriculture based on genotype-dependent microbial effects in foxtail millet.

SourceBGI Genomics·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2022

What keeps plant roots growing toward gravity? Study identifies four genes

Researchers have identified four genes in corn and Arabidopsis that regulate root growth in response to gravity, a trait essential for drought tolerance and efficient water use. The study's approach, leveraging genomic comparisons between distantly related species, has the potential to be applied to other traits.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

Hair finds new roots as urban farming growth medium

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a sustainable hydroponic substrate using keratin extracted from human hair. The substrate has been tested with microgreens, leafy vegetables, and seedlings of Arabidopsis and bok choy, showing promising results in terms of water retention and nutrient delivery.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateSep 21, 2022