Articles tagged with Seeds
Seeds passed through small-billed Elaenia birds emerged with reduced fungal load and odor that attracts ants, increasing survival rates. The study found a prime example of the benefits of seed dispersal mutualism between plants and animals.
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.
Researchers at the University of York have identified a key regulator gene called SPATULA that controls the expression of five other genes affecting seed germination. The study, using the model plant Arabidopsis, reveals how different varieties respond to environmental stimuli, which could lead to the development of better quality seed...
The disappearance of large fruit-eating birds from Brazilian forests has led to smaller, less successful seeds in nearby palm trees. The study found that the absence of these birds triggered a rapid evolution of forest palms, resulting in smaller seeds.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genome of the sacred lotus, revealing its powerful genetic system that repairs genetic defects and may hold secrets about aging. The research could lead to a better understanding of anti-aging mechanisms and potential applications for human health.
Research by Monica Gagliano and Michael Renton found that plants can positively influence seed growth via unknown mechanisms. Chilli seeds germinated better when grown with basil plants, even when other signals were blocked.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that burning plants create chemical messages in soil that stimulate dormant seeds to grow, explaining a fundamental ecological mystery. The findings may aid in developing plant varieties that help restore ecosystems.
A team of researchers identified a lettuce gene and related enzyme that inhibits germination during hot weather, enabling seeds to germinate in warm temperatures. The discovery could lead to lettuces that can grow in high temperatures, improving crop yields.
Seeds from the Indian mahua and sal trees have shown promising thermal efficiency comparable to biodiesel, producing lower emissions of carbon monoxide and waste hydrocarbons. The use of tree seed oils could also provide additional benefits such as lower viscosity and greater volatility.
A recent study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series has found that fish, terrapins, and birds play a crucial role in dispersing eelgrass seeds into new areas. The research suggests that animals can disperse seeds up to 10 miles, rivaling the distances achieved by physical mechanisms.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that plants can detect and respond to insect odors, leading to improved defenses. The tall goldenrod plant's ability to sense the sex attractant emitted by male flies makes it less appealing to female flies, reducing damage and increasing seed quality.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that male genitalia morphology affects fertilization success in female seed beetles, driving rapid evolutionary changes. This competition among males has generated significant biological diversity and contributed to species formation.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory used a computational model to identify key metabolic pathways that favor the production of either oils or proteins in plants. The research focused on rapeseed and found 149 reactions responsive to changes in oil/protein tradeoff, highlighting potential targets for genetic manipulation.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) presented awards to 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of crop science. The awards recognize achievements in various areas of crop research and education.
A botany student has confirmed the existence of a new species, New England Banksia, previously classified as a variety of the Hairpin Banksia. The study, published in PhytoKeys, used molecular evidence to support the distinct species status of New England Banksia.
Scientists found that agoutis, common rodents in tropical lowlands, buried seeds at a scale previously unknown. This behavior likely prevented large-seeded plants from becoming extinct when their primary dispersers disappeared over 10,000 years ago.
Researchers found that 85% of seeds were buried in caches by agoutis, which moved seeds up to 749 meters and sometimes even retrieved them after years. This behavior may have saved tropical trees from extinction.
A study found that rodents like agoutis disperse large seeds in tropical forests, creating conditions for germination. Researchers tracked seed dispersal using tags, video surveillance and transmitters, showing 14% of seeds survived to the next year.
A new study found that a plant's toxic 'mustard oil bomb' makes mice spit out its seeds when eating the fruit, aiding seed dispersal. This discovery illustrates the first known case of directed deterrence in a single species.
Researchers have found that a Purdue-developed transgenic tomato allows more calcium to be free and mobile in tomato cells, significantly reducing the occurrence of blossom end rot. The study shows that up to 70% less blossom end rot occurs in Handa's transgenic tomatoes compared to non-engineered tomatoes
Researchers identify Sh1 gene as key control point for seed shattering in sorghum, finding parallel selection across multiple cereals. The study provides insights into the domestication process of crops like rice and maize, with implications for breeding and increasing crop yields.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Iowa State University identified three plant proteins involved in regulating fatty acid production. The discovery may lead to improved crop yields and higher quality oils for food, nutrition, biorenewable chemicals, and biofuels.
The loss of elephants and rhinoceroses in tropical forests puts structural integrity at risk, while Asian tapirs are found inadequate for seed dispersal. The study highlights the importance of protecting megafauna and reintroducing them into areas where they have disappeared.
Researchers from NUS identified a protein called FTIP1 that triggers flowering in plants under normal light conditions. Plants with mutant versions of the gene flowered later, but were restored to normal when the functional version was introduced.
Researchers discovered a compound in mustard seed meal with antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. The isolated sinapic acid lends a useful function to the previously economic value-less defatted seed meal, enabling its use as a natural food preservative.
A recent study found that human noise has indirect effects on plants, benefiting some species like scarlet gilia while harming others like piñon pine. The study's findings suggest that noise can alter pollination patterns and affect seed production, with consequences that may last for decades.
New research reveals Artemisia tridentata seeds can form a persistent seed bank, enabling the species to regenerate post-fire. The study found that burying sagebrush seeds 3 cm below the soil surface increased their viability for up to 24 months.
A study reveals that manmade noise has indirect effects on plants, with some species benefiting and others being harmed. Noise levels can influence the number of pollinator visits, pollen transfer, and seed production in certain plant species, highlighting the ripple effects of human activity on the natural world.
Dow and DuPont are developing high-oleic oils that can replace partially hydrogenated oils in fried foods, reducing trans fat content and increasing heart health. These new oils are expected to result in a 40% cost savings for the food industry.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals that seeds coated with neonicotinoid insecticides cause widespread deaths of honeybees. The researchers found that even modified machines designed to reduce seed fragmentation still led to bee fatalities, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.
Researchers develop a simple and cost-effective method to purify water using the 'miracle tree' Moringa oleifera seeds. The process harnesses the positively charged protein in the seed extract to capture lab-grown E. coli and remove sediment from water samples.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are conducting a landmark study to restore degraded glade habitats and ecosystems using fire manipulation techniques. The goal is to establish best practices for restorative ecology and mitigate biodiversity loss from small habitats, particularly rare species found nowhere else.
Researchers found that older forests with specific fungi are essential for orchid survival and recovery. The study suggests that planting new forests may not be enough to save endangered orchids without the right fungal conditions.
A natural substance extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds can purify water by binding to sediment and killing microbes. The process uses functionalized sand, providing a simple, locally sustainable way to produce storable drinking water.
Researchers identified a new gene, Meg1, regulating nutrient flow from mother to offspring in maize plants, which could help increase global food production. The discovery of this imprinted gene provides scientists with a molecular tool to manipulate and improve seed traits.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a link between honeybee deaths and exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides used on corn and soybean seeds. High levels of these pesticides were detected in talc waste, soil, and pollen collected by bees, suggesting that they may be contributing to bee deaths.
Scientists found that hot chilies in dry areas produce fewer seeds due to reduced water efficiency, while non-pungent plants dominate in wetter regions where the fungus thrives. Pungency increases along a 185-mile line from dry to wetter regions.
Researchers plotted evolutionary relationships of 150 plant species based on advanced genome-wide analysis, providing insights into genetic basis of diversity. The study resolves the long-standing problem of producing an unequivocal evolutionary tree of seed plants.
Researchers found that tea seed powder can either increase or decrease plant growth depending on the application dose. The study suggests that using TSP at the correct dose could improve crop yields and quality in agriculture and horticulture operations.
Research by University of Warwick finds that changes in soil temperature trigger sensitivity to plant hormones in seeds, altering dormancy depth. This regulation can help predict the impact of climate change on native flora and crop competition.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute discovered that plant seed cells contract their nuclei and condense chromatin to resist dehydration, enabling seeds to survive harsh conditions. This mechanism allows seeds to prepare for germination when environmental conditions improve.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a naturally occurring mutation in corn that eliminates the need for detasseling, a labor-intensive process. The mutation, which affects brassinosteroids, results in plants that produce only female organs, including kernels where male tassels should be.
New research shows that male nursery web spiders offer 'worthless' gifts to potential mates, which females promptly reject. Despite this, the act of giving a gift still increases mating success for males. The study suggests that both males and females assess the value of gifts and adjust their behavior accordingly.
A European herb has figured out its own way to survive in environments with low pollinator density, using a delayed selfing mechanism to guarantee seed production. The study found that when populations are small and/or pollinators are scarce, plants can augment seed production via autonomous self-pollination.
Researchers are struggling to help Michaux's sumac germinate due to its extremely hard and thick-seeded shell. Despite attempts using heat, flames, and boiling water, seeds remain dormant. Only acid treatment breaks seed coat dormancy.
New study finds that popular ornamental woody plants sold as non-invasive may actually retain invasive potential. The offspring of these cultivars often 'breed true' and can be more fecund than their parents, making them potentially more invasive.
The Koffler Scientific Reserve is launching a four-year project to collect seeds from 34 target species, which will be banked for 5-50 years. Researchers will analyze how these species react to changes in their surroundings, such as climate change and new land-use patterns.
A University of Hull study found that weeds are vital to the existence of many farmland species, providing food for over 330 species of insects, birds, and animals. The research also showed that increasing farm management intensity can lead to a decline in seed biomass and energy, affecting farmland biodiversity.
A new plant species, Spigelia genuflexa, with a rare characteristic of burying its seeds has been discovered in the Atlantic forest of Bahia, Brazil. The plant's 'geocarpy' adaptation ensures its propagation by depositing seeds on the ground and sometimes burying them, similar to peanuts.
New research modifies soybean seed to increase phosphorus content, improving animal nutrition and reducing feed costs. The study suggests that low phytate soybean seeds may cause low vigor seedlings, which can be easily addressed through seed treatments.
A new plant breeding approach developed at the University of California, Davis, could significantly improve crop yields and disease resistance for staple foods like cassava and banana. The method allows breeders to create hybrid seeds that carry DNA from only one parent, dramatically reducing the time required to develop new crops.
A study by USDA-ARS scientist Arnold Bruns compared twin-row and single-row soybean plantings and found that the former yielded more pods per plant without affecting seed yield. Twin-row production resulted in increased yields on both soils, but only minor economic benefits of $75 per hectare. The study highlights the importance of con...
Agricultural Research Service scientists found that using strip tillage and placing fertilizers directly below the seed increased corn grain yields on eroded slopes by 12-26% over two years. This innovative technique supports Idaho's growing dairy industry and promotes international food security.
A study by Penn State researchers found that road graders can spread seeds of invasive plants, such as Japanese stilt grass, several orders of magnitude further than natural dispersal. The rapid spread of these plants can outcompete native vegetation and cause significant ecological damage.
A recent study found that exotic grasses are better equipped to adapt to warmer temperatures than native grasses in California. This could lead to the expansion of invasive species into new areas, potentially threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.
A study by Rice University biologist Evan Siemann and colleagues found that the invasive Chinese tallow tree was not introduced to the US by Ben Franklin. The genetic evidence suggests that the trees originated from eastern China, with a faster growth rate in the US than their Chinese counterparts.
A team of scientists tracked the movements of toucans carrying seeds from a nutmeg tree, revealing that birds disperse seeds most effectively in the morning. The data created a map of the relative patterns and distances of seed dispersal, providing new insights into plant ecology.
Scientists developed a computational model to analyze rapeseed plant metabolism and optimize oil production. The model, published in the Plant Journal, can simulate complex metabolic processes under varying conditions, helping identify ways to maximize carbon conversion to biomass.
Scientists from the Biomimetics-Innovation-Centre have developed a new anti-fouling surface based on a seed from a species of palm tree. The artificial surface mimics the hairy-like structure of the seeds' surfaces, which constantly move to prevent fouling by marine organisms.
Researchers found that virus-tested foundation seed increases yield, but quality declines when integrated into commercial farms. Seed productivity and quality vary from year to year and location to location.