Articles tagged with Seeds
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that early human ancestors could have eaten hard plant foods like nuts and seeds without causing damage to their teeth. The researchers used experiments on modern tooth enamel to demonstrate that even the hardest plant tissues barely influence microwear textures.
Researchers discovered that thiol redox switches play a central role in enabling energy release efficiently during seed germination. These molecular switches kick-start mitochondrial energy metabolism, allowing seeds to conserve stored energy reserves for years or even centuries.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that two annual plants, goosefoot and erect knotweed, can produce yields comparable to those of maize when grown together with other lost crops. The study's findings challenge the assumption that maize was adopted as a staple crop due to its high productivity.
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a method to model the synchronization behaviors of different tree species using control parameters. They found that two populations of Zelkova serrata trees 20 kilometers apart were completely synchronized in a '3-year cycle', demonstrating the Period...
A team led by CSHL Professor David Jackson has identified a gene in corn that contributes to both plant development and immune system control. Manipulating this gene, Gß, could increase crop yields by reprogramming the balance between growth and defense.
Researchers at KAUST used advanced quantile regression techniques to analyze barley plant traits affecting yields in saline and nonsaline conditions. Two key traits help gain high yield under saline conditions: early flowering time and a specific ear number per plant.
Researchers have developed coated seeds that can grow in salty soils by providing a protective coating and fertilizer-generating microbes. These seeds showed improved health and growth compared to untreated seeds in unproductive soil fields.
Scientists developed a new simulation tool to analyze the spread of disease in seed systems, identifying key villages for surveillance and management. This approach can be applied to other plant diseases, such as cassava mosaic disease in Southeast Asia.
The most serious threat to the potato industry in the US is Potato Virus Y (PVY), which causes a 70-80% yield loss and necrotic reactions. New strains like PVY N-Wi and NTN have become dominant, making it challenging for diagnostic labs to detect them.
A new study found that planting wheat at commercially recommended density can reduce weed biomass and seed production by up to 78% and 50%, respectively. This approach also causes weeds to grow more upright, making them easier to capture during harvesting.
Plant scientists have doubled the amount of grains a sorghum plant can produce by identifying novel genetic variations in the MSD2 gene. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields and address global food production challenges related to climate change and population growth.
Researchers identified two mechanisms driving herbicide-resistant weed emergence in Ontario: pollen and seed dispersal via wind and water, and spontaneous genetic mutations. This study highlights the need for integrated management approaches to minimize gene flow and resistances, including thorough equipment cleaning and crop rotation.
Studies examine the effects of temperature on itchgrass and divine nightshade seeds in sugarcane fields. Higher temperatures can kill weeds, but varying conditions are needed for optimal control, considering seed coat structure and soil insulation.
A single sorghum gene, Tannin1, controls bird feeding behavior by regulating the production of bad-tasting molecules and attractive volatiles. The discovery provides insights into plant-bird ecological interactions and suggests multiple strategies for developing new control measures to prevent yield losses caused by birds.
A new breeding method uses genetic profiles to predict disease resistance in beans, speeding up the process and reducing pesticide use. The method has been applied to 316 varieties of beans and shows promise for increasing crop yields and improving food security in Africa and Latin America.
Researchers have developed a new flaxseed cultivar called ND Hammond with significantly higher seed yield than other varieties. It also exhibits resistance to Fusarium wilt and flax rust diseases, making it an attractive option for US farmers.
Scientists at Michigan State University have received a four-year, $2.6 million grant to investigate tuber evolution in plants like potatoes and tomatoes. The researchers aim to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind this adaptation, which allows plants to store energy underground and survive harsh conditions.
New research reveals that bacteria from Arctic algae blooms can travel to the atmosphere and seed clouds, impacting global weather patterns. The particles help accelerate ice crystal formation, influencing climate and precipitation patterns.
Researchers discovered that spillover, especially of wind-dispersed plant species, promotes biodiversity in restored grasslands. This is crucial for recovering endangered temperate grasslands.
Researchers tested the 'island rule' on plant species colonizing islands in the Southwest Pacific and found that their stature and leaf area followed the rule. However, plant seed size did not conform to the rule, suggesting a more nuanced relationship between island habitats and organismal traits.
Researchers studied root gravitropism across diverse plant species, finding it emerged slowly in ancient plants and became more efficient in seed plants. Key components of the mechanism include starch-filled organelles acting as gravity sensors and auxin polarization facilitating growth regulation.
Western gorillas in Gabon have been observed cracking open nuts with their teeth, despite their lack of adaptations for hard object consumption. The study reveals that gorillas may be capable of more dietary breadth than previously thought, with implications for understanding human ancestors' diets based on tooth shape.
A recent study found that non-native insect pests and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to global tree and forest ecosystems. The research, led by CABI, highlights the need for improved phytosanitary measures in trading tree seeds to reduce the risk of introducing harmful organisms.
Scientists have shown that monkeys disperse seeds from primary forests to secondary forests, leading to increased biodiversity. Over 20 years of study, researchers found that moustached and black-fronted tamarins were responsible for dispersing over 10% of the seeds, which germinated and survived for at least a year.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania discover a genetic mechanism controlling the development of specialized structures in acacia trees that feed and house ant colonies. The findings suggest an age-dependent phenomenon in plant development, where traits appear only after reaching a mature stage.
Researchers found that early snowmelt causes Corydalis ambigua flowers to bloom before bumblebee emergence, leading to a mismatch in pollination. This phenological disruption can significantly lower seed-set rates due to inadequate pollination.
Researchers found that ancient plants coevolved with megafaunal grazers to disperse their seeds, making them easy to harvest. The discovery sheds light on the early domestication of small-seeded grain crops like quinoa and amaranth.
Researchers used plug-and-play temperature controllers to create controlled-environment chambers from standard chest freezers, enabling the detailed observation of developmental rates in response to different temperatures. The study found a clear temperature-dependent effect on budbreak and seed germination, allowing for expanded resea...
A study found that earlier snowmelt timing reduces subalpine plants' seed production, threatening their long-term survival. Climate change poses a significant threat to these populations, even without noticeable changes in bloom timing.
Scientists have discovered that a grape variety still used in wine production today can be traced back 900 years to just one ancestral plant. The study, which analyzed 28 archaeological seeds from French sites dating back to the Iron Age and medieval period, found genetic connections between ancient seeds and modern-day grape varieties.
Researchers found no herbicide-resistant mutants among over 70 million grain amaranth seeds, indicating a very low mutation rate. The study suggests that low-level herbicide application does not contribute to the onset of new mutations conferring resistance.
Researchers tracing the history of apples from wild origins to domestication reveal that ancient megafauna and Silk Road trade routes played key roles. The modern apple is a hybrid of at least four wild populations, with genetic material originating from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research reviewed plant population studies to update recommendations. They found that yield is optimized at around 15,000 plants per acre, but there is no yield benefit to high populations.
Researchers discovered that self-fertilization helps two Asiatic dayflower species coexist in the wild, countering reproductive interference caused by shared pollinators. Both species can produce enough seeds to survive through self-pollination, even when one is heavily impacted by the other's flowers.
Researchers at NTU have developed a sustainable method to increase seed oil yield in crops such as canola, soybean and sunflower. The new genetic modification involves modifying the key protein Wrinkled1, resulting in larger oil reserves in seeds, which could lead to higher economic gain and increased production of biofuel.
Researchers at Emory University found that Ginkgo seed extracts inhibit the growth of skin pathogens like Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The study suggests ginkgo seeds could be used as a topical antimicrobial treatment for skin disorders.
A global team of researchers proposes a new approach to managing weeds by considering their impact on society as a whole. The team suggests that traditional methods focus too much on individual landowners and instead recommends a cross-boundary approach that prioritizes shared goals and collective interests.
Researchers found that introduced birds on Oahu select specific non-native plants, dispersing them across the island, and even contribute to their stability. However, these novel communities are less diverse than native ecosystems, with only four bird species responsible for plant movement.
Recent advances in plant seed microbiomes have revealed distinct compositions and beneficial bacteria within seed endophytes. This study provides a basis for developing sustainable alternative inputs in agriculture, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Researchers have discovered an anti-inflammatory compound in avocado seeds, which could help treat conditions like arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. The study provides evidence of bioactive compounds in avocado seeds that inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators.
Researchers found that increased dust loads result in decreased chewing efficiency in chimpanzees. The consumption of dust-covered foods created micrometer-scale surface texture features on cheek teeth, leading to larger mean fecal particle sizes.
The Boyce Thompson Institute has developed a new Plant Genome Editing Database (PGED) to manage and share plant mutant data, reducing duplicate experiments and catalyzing collaborations among researchers. The database currently contains over 432 tomato lines edited with CRISPR/Cas.
Researchers found that the gene INDEHISCENT plays a crucial role in shaping Capsella's distinctive heart-shaped fruits by upregulating auxin biosynthesis. This discovery may lead to improved crop yields and denser oilseed rape canopies through genetic modification.
The proliferation of genetically modified seeds in India has led to 'choice overload,' where farmers struggle to make decisions due to a vast array of options. Farmers prioritize community expectations and social status over yield, driven by the desire to be successful and modern.
The Slide Hammer Seeder is a low-cost tool that allows precise planting of small-seeded species, including insectary plants and novel vegetables. It can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of growing these crops, reducing the need for pesticides.
A large-scale experiment found seed predation increased by 2.6% for every 10 degrees of latitude toward the Equator and by 0.4% for every 100-metre decline in elevation. Invertebrates, such as insects, played a key role in these interactions.
A recent study suggests that increasing temperatures by 3 degrees Celsius may help preserve seed quality in soybeans, offsetting the effects of elevated carbon dioxide levels. This could lead to improved nutrition but at the expense of lower yields.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that orchards surrounded by natural habitats draw a broader selection of bee species, leading to improved apple production. This is because bees from different species exhibit unique behaviors when pollinating flowers, affecting fruit development and quality.
Archaeologists have discovered a mass of charred seeds in Brantford, Ontario, dating back to 900 B.C., identified as ancient quinoa native to Eastern North America. The finding sheds light on the cultural exchange and agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples in the region.
The Open Source Seed Licence safeguards plant germplasm by protecting it from patenting and exclusive rights. This allows for the free exchange of breeding material and knowledge, enabling the development of new varieties like 'Sunviva', a cherry tomato well-suited for gardens and balconies.
Researchers found that tilled fields had smaller ant nests, which consume fewer weed seeds, while no-till fields had more evenly distributed ant nests. This suggests that preserving ant colonies by reducing tillage could benefit farmers in managing weeds.
A team of researchers at Nagoya University has discovered a highly potent and selective molecule, SPL7, that can induce suicidal germination in Striga seeds, allowing for effective control over the parasitic weed. This breakthrough could alleviate Striga infestation and save crop losses worth billions of US dollars every year.
Researchers at UC Davis have made a breakthrough in plant biology by discovering a way to produce crops as clones from seed. This process, known as apomixis, allows for the reproduction of high-yielding and disease-resistant crops without the need for expensive hybrid seeds. The discovery has significant implications for global food se...
A new study reveals waterhemp's unique detoxification pathway for topramezone, making chemical control difficult. The finding suggests that the weed uses a different mechanism than corn, rendering current herbicides ineffective.
Researchers used outdoor labs to test plant responses to future climate change, finding that some crops may grow more under rising CO2 levels. However, drought and heat can limit growth, leading to a trade-off between positive and negative impacts.
Researchers found that plants developed ant-friendly traits long after ants started relying on them for food and habitat. Plants use ants to spread seeds and act as bodyguards, while ants benefit from rich nectar and shelter in hollow thorns.
Scientists demonstrate that epigenetic variation in plants can be selected for and passed on through generations, enabling quick adaptation to environmental changes. This discovery opens new opportunities for crop breeding and could help plants thrive in a changing climate.
A recent study published by Kew scientists reveals that 36% of 'critically endangered' plant species produce recalcitrant seeds, making seed banking an ineffective conservation method. This means alternative techniques like cryopreservation are necessary to safeguard the world's most threatened species and iconic tree species.
A study conducted in Brazil found that roasted jackfruit seeds can replace between 50% and 75% of cocoa powder in milk and coffee used to make cappuccino without impairing flavor or aroma. The researchers developed an instant powder containing coffee with milk and chocolate, which can be a potential substitute for traditional cappuccino.
A new study has identified genetic locations of resistance genes in the common bean, allowing breeders to develop varieties with built-in weevil protection. This will enable farmers to store seeds more effectively, reducing losses and improving food security.