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Sugar, the hidden thermostat in plants

New research reveals that plants rely on multiple heat-sensing systems and a sugar-based mechanism to detect temperature changes. Sugar produced in sunlight helps plants grow taller even when thermosensors like phytochrome B are less effective. This discovery could lead to breeding crops more resiliently under stress.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2025

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

Uncovering secrets of plant regeneration

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology identified the WOX13 gene as a key negative regulator of shoot regeneration in plants. The study found that WOX13 inhibits a subset of shoot meristem regulators while directly activating cell wall modifier genes involved in cell expansion and differentiation.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2023

Clover growth in Mars-like soils boosted by bacterial symbiosis

Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Secret of plant geometry revealed

Scientists have long puzzled over how plants set and maintain the angle of their lateral branches. The mechanism, driven by auxin hormone, counteracts gravity-sensitive growth to sustain a non-vertical angle of growth, known as the gravitropic set-point angle.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 25, 2013

Explaining why pruning encourages plants to thrive

Researchers have discovered that all shoot tips on a plant can influence each other's growth, allowing the strongest branches to thrive. By understanding the action of hormones like auxin and strigolactone, horticultural practices can be developed to promote optimal branching patterns in crops.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2009