Articles tagged with Seedlings
A study by the University of Plymouth found that snails are attracted to seedlings based on their volatile scent preferences, while those with repellent chemicals avoid damage. This discovery provides insights into the complex interactions between slugs and snails in natural habitats.
Three University of Montana researchers are developing new tools to predict tree recruitment declines in Western semi-arid forests. They will use a combination of NASA Earth observation data, forest inventory data, and a coupled ecohydrologic model to simulate drought stress and lethal surface temperatures for conifer seedlings.
Researchers found that conservation tillage combined with straw mulch improves soil moisture, seedling emergence rates, and marketable yield. Straw mulch proved to be the most effective option for increasing potato tuber yield, leading to a 14.9% increase in yields compared to conventional tillage.
Scientists at the University of Plymouth study how seedling defense mechanisms change across large geographical scales. Researchers plan to assess the impact of latitude and altitude on plant resistance by examining snails' preferences for seedlings from various European regions.
Native tree seedlings proliferated after rat removal, with an average of 8 seedlings per square meter. The restored forest provides critical habitat for seabirds, crabs, and other rare species, contributing to resilient ecosystems and improved fish populations.
Researchers found that particulate matter increases foliar transpiration in plants, making them more susceptible to drought. The tiny pores on leaves, known as stomata, are compromised by salt solutions formed from hygroscopic particles.
Plants use chemical signals in soil to adapt to stressed neighbors, altering root growth and leaf development. Researchers discovered that brief aboveground disturbances can impact underground communication, affecting plant growth.
Studies by Cornell University professors Stephen Ellner and Robin Snyder show that trait variation influences but is often overshadowed by luck in determining lifetime reproductive success. The research suggests that being above average can be more important than possessing exceptional traits to achieve reproductive success.
Climate warming is taking a toll on forest health in subalpine regions of Colorado's Front Range, hindering the establishment of spruce and fir trees. The study found that only three years out of 40 have been conducive to seedling establishment, compared to seven favorable years during the prior 40.
A meta-analysis of 133 studies found that natural regeneration is more effective in restoring biodiversity and forest structure compared to active restoration. Natural regeneration also proves to be a lower-cost approach, contrary to previous findings.
Researchers identified a cell wall signal that initiates darkness programme in seedling development, enhancing survival. The signal is linked to metabolic breakdown products of pectin, allowing plant cells to communicate with each other about light conditions.
Researchers discovered key limitations to seagrass growth from seed to seedling stage, which could improve restoration efforts. The study found that exposure to waves and grazing animals significantly reduced seed survival rates.
A 30-year forest regeneration experiment in Interior Alaska shows that planting white spruce seedlings is the most effective method to produce a spruce-dominated stand, with broadcast seeding as the next best option. The study's findings provide valuable insights for forest landowners and reforestation practices.
A new study found that Colorado's wildfire-stricken forests are not regenerating as expected, with only 2-38% of plots showing abundant regeneration. Climate change is expected to hinder further recovery, particularly in hotter and drier areas.
A new study reveals that soil fungi play a crucial role in protecting tree seedlings from pathogens, with different fungal groups offering varying levels of protection. This has significant implications for forest community patterns and overall biodiversity.
New research suggests that global warming could slow the upward migration of certain subalpine tree species, such as Engelmann spruce and limber pine. The study found that warming can harm young trees even in their first year, reducing seedling survival rates at all three elevations.
A study by LMU researchers demonstrates that ants have cultivated their plant partners at least three million years ago, long before humans. The interaction is vital for the survival of both partners, with ants providing nutrients to epiphytes in exchange for nesting sites.
Researchers found that soy flour, a plant-derived biostimulant, improves broccoli plant growth and nutrient uptake when used as a seed coating. The study showed enhanced biomass, plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content in soy flour-coated seeds compared to non-coated controls.
New triploid flowering pear cultivars show substantial reduction in fertility, making them suitable for infertile options and reducing naturalization concerns. The study demonstrates that selection of highly infertile triploid cultivars can be an effective way to control self-sowing and plant invasions.
Researchers found grafting increases watermelon yield by 2.4-2.6 times compared to nongrafted plants, with higher fruit quality including thicker rind and more soluble solids. The technique appears highly recommendable for Chilean growers despite initial costs.
Researchers found that snails choose seedlings based on dislike for naturally-omitted scents rather than taste. This discovery suggests harnessing these chemicals could provide an eco-friendly solution to protect crop seedlings from pests.
Researchers have successfully cloned Terbinicarpus valdezianus, a species of cactus endemic to Northern Mexico threatened by habitat loss. The in vitro cloning method proved effective, with high shoot proliferation and root development rates.
Researchers found a wild potato with almost seven times as much calcium as usual varieties. Breeding programs can now use molecular markers to identify high-calcium traits, speeding up the breeding process. This discovery aims to improve crop quality and reduce cosmetic issues in potatoes.
Weed blasting, a new control method for organic farmers, has been shown to be surprisingly effective in reducing final weed biomass by 69-97% compared to non-weeded control plots. The method involves blasting weed seedlings with tiny fragments of organic grit using an air compressor.
New research on Serianthes nelsonii, a critically endangered tree species in Guam, highlights two critical factors limiting its survival: root diseases and insufficient light. The study's empirical approach sheds light on previously overlooked threats to the tree's health.
A study published in HortScience has identified optimal conditions for managing conservation nurseries in Guam, focusing on three endangered tree species. Moderate shade maximizes seedling emergence percentage and velocity for Elaeocarpus joga and Tabernaemontana rotensis, while deep shade enhances growth for Serianthes nelsonii.
Researchers from the University of Guam's Western Pacific Tropical Research Center found that three native tree species require contrasting levels of light for optimal growth, contrary to their co-occurring forest habitats.
Researchers at Purdue University found that LED sole-source lighting is comparable to or better than traditional supplemental lighting for growing high-quality bedding plant seedlings. The study suggests using LEDs with a specific blue light spectrum can promote compact, desirable plant growth.
A study found that simulated seawater flooding significantly reduced growth of sensitive vegetable seedlings. Salt-tolerant varieties like spinach, eggplant, and tomato showed less damage, with some experiencing a 43-67% reduction in photosynthetic rate after two weeks.
Researchers discovered that high temperatures stimulate stem growth in plants, contrary to cooler temperatures where light inhibits it. Mathematical models and experiments validated the findings, suggesting plants may associate hot weather with drought risk and grow quickly to reproduce.
A three-year study found that injecting Siberian slippery jack spores into the soil around whitebark pine seedlings increased their survival rate. The native fungus helps trees take in more nutrients and water from the soil, and produces sugars to feed the fungi.
Vermicompost leachate enhances tomato seedling growth in temperature and water-stress conditions. Regular supply of VCL improves morphological characters, including leaf area and shoot/root biomass.
A University of Utah study found that pathogens killing tree seedlings in drier forests allow more diverse tree species to thrive in the wetter Caribbean environment. This separation is crucial for conservation planning and understanding how tree species adapt to climate change.
A new study shows that LED lighting can produce favorable results in greenhouse grown annual bedding plant seedlings. The optimal LED red:blue light ratio was found to be between 70:30 and 100:0, resulting in higher stem caliper and root dry mass compared to high-pressure sodium lamps.
Researchers developed a novel tree-planting technique to combat desertification by protecting seedlings from high temperatures. The technique involves using tubes to reduce soil temperature and increase survival rates of desert plants like Haloxylon ammodendron.
A South American tree species, Embothrium coccineum, has adapted to form cluster roots to access limited phosphorus in volcanic soils. Cluster root formation is stimulated by low soil nitrogen levels, enabling small seedlings to maintain adequate foliar P levels.
Research shows that selective grazing by slugs can prevent key grassland species from taking hold and reduce overall plant diversity. The team found that some of the most ecologically important species, such as red clover, are particularly tasty to slugs, which may hinder restoration efforts.
Researchers found that black locust, a short-rotation woody crop, has the highest yield and fastest harvest time among the crops evaluated. The crop's rapid growth allows for more frequent harvesting, making it an attractive option for biomass production in the Midwest.
Retaining moderate levels of logging debris helps increase growth rate of Douglas-fir seedlings by inhibiting competing herbaceous vegetation and preserving soil water. This leads to increased early growth in seedlings, with higher growth rates observed at 80% debris cover without herbicide treatments.
Tadpole shrimp have been identified as a new pest of rice production systems in the midsouthern United States. The shrimp feed on rice seedlings and uproot them during foraging, causing water to become muddy and reducing light penetration.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that many popular 'microgreens' have more vitamins and healthful nutrients than their fully grown counterparts. The research analyzed 25 varieties of microgreens, revealing wide variations in nutrient levels among the plants tested.
Biochemists at UC Riverside discovered that increasing vitamin C levels can produce twins and triplets in plant seeds. This finding has the potential to increase fertility in low-fertility crops and boost their value. The researchers' study results were published online in PLoS ONE.
A new study found that common native red oak seedlings grow eight times faster in New York's Central Park due to urban heat levels. This phenomenon could have implications for changing climate and forest composition over a wide region. The research suggests that warmer temperatures, especially at night, can promote tree growth.
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.
Thrips infestation in cotton seedlings can lead to significant crop injury, including distortion, malformation, and reduced plant growth. Management practices for thrip infestation are discussed in the article.
A USDA aerial photography survey found that the invasive leafy spurge weed is displacing native mountain big sagebrush seedlings in Idaho. The survey used high-resolution digital cameras to sample large areas of the western US.
Experiments tested sweetpotato whitefly preference for cucumber seedlings grown under fluorescent lamps with high red:far red ratio or metal-halide lamps. The results showed that FL seedlings were less attractive to the whiteflies and had higher chlorophyll content and thicker leaves than ML seedlings.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a key mechanism by which seedlings regulate their growth and development. The study, led by biologist Alison DeLong, found that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical role in suppressing ethylene production during germination.
Lianas, found in most tropical lowland forests, are outcompeting trees for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This intense competition is limiting tree growth and survival in these ecosystems.
Researchers found that April grafting is the most successful method for creating disease-resistant Fraser fir trees, with a 95% success rate. The study recommended grafting during late winter or early spring when scions are dormant and rootstocks are becoming active.
Researchers found that adult trees harbor pests and diseases that harm seedlings of their own species more than others, leading to stabilizing mechanisms that maintain diversity. The study suggests that plant interactions with soil biota are powerful enough to explain co-existence and abundance patterns in tropical forests.
A massive study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that rare species of trees are more sensitive to their own species neighbors than common species. This interaction plays a crucial role in determining which organisms thrive in tropical forests.
Researchers have developed self-pollinating almond trees that can produce high-quality nuts without insect pollination. This breakthrough is crucial for almond growers facing rising costs due to honeybee shortages.
A study found that leaving logging debris behind suppresses the growth of invasive plant species like Scotch broom and blackberry, allowing native plants to thrive. This method saves costs but may increase fire risk, making it a more favorable approach for forest management.
A study published in HortScience found that herbicide drift is causing 'leaf tatters' on white oak trees, reducing their canopy health. The research recommends timing herbicide applications before or after leaf unfolding to prevent injury.
A study by Purdue University researcher Robert Swihart found that pine voles prefer oak roots over other tree roots, causing high mortality rates among oak seedlings. The rodents cause more damage to white oak roots than other trees, potentially leading to a decline in oak availability.
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 studied a new apple germplasm collection from Kazakhstan to determine disease resistance to blue mold. The study found greater genetic diversity among the Kazak apples, including immune and resistant accessions that may serve as a source of resistance in breeding programs.
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 discovered that parasitic plants like Cuscuta pentagona sense and respond to volatile chemicals emitted by potential host plants. They found that dodder seedlings grew towards tomato plants in a specific direction, indicating a directed growth response.