Researchers have uncovered a pivotal genetic mechanism that enables tomatoes to enhance phosphate uptake by partnering with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This discovery opens new possibilities for improving crop yields and reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use, marking a significant step toward more sustainable agricultural practices.
Tag: Plant Growth
Landmark photosynthesis gene discovery boosts plant height, advances crop science
A team of scientists with two Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers — the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, or CBI, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, or CABBI, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — identified a gene in a poplar tree that enhances photosynthesis and can boost tree height by about 30% in the field and by as much as 200% in the greenhouse.
Mitochondrial maestro: PtoRFL30 orchestrates poplar development
New research reveals the pivotal role of a mitochondrion-localized protein, PtoRFL30, in the wood formation of poplar trees. This revelation sheds light on the dynamic communication between a tree’s nuclear and mitochondrial systems, offering crucial insights into secondary growth.
Boron shortage: the silent inhibitor of tomato yield and quality
Boron, a crucial nutrient for plants, is essential for tomato growth and development. Yet, how tomatoes respond to boron deficiency has remained largely unclear. This study sheds light on the physiological and molecular changes tomatoes undergo when faced with boron scarcity. The findings reveal critical mechanisms that could lead to new strategies for boosting crop resilience and improving productivity in agriculture.
Researchers separate plant growth and disease resistance
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a promising approach to addressing a longstanding challenge for plant geneticists: balancing disease resistance and growth in plants. The breakthrough could help protect plants from disease in the future while also promoting higher biomass yields to support sustainable food supplies for both humans and animals, production of biofuels and lumber, and more, according to the new study.
Delivery of Luminescent Particles to Plants for Information Encoding and Storage
In the era of smart agriculture, the precise labeling and recording of growth information in plants pose challenges for modern agricultural production. This study introduces strontium aluminate particles based microneedles (MNs) patches as diverse luminescent labels for information encoding and storage during plant growth
Green gold: poplar’s genetic makeover for saline soils
Researchers have discovered that miR319a, a microRNA, significantly enhances poplar trees’ resilience to salt stress, potentially revolutionizing tree cultivation in saline environments. This discovery sheds light on how trees maintain essential ion balance under salty conditions, paving the way for developing salt-tolerant varieties.
Tea plant’s genetic guardians: lncRNA-protein pairs bolster disease resistance
Scientists have discovered evolutionarily conserved trans-lncRNA pairs that boost disease resistance in tea plants. These pairs, including the 12-oxophytodienoate reductase gene, interact with the jasmonic acid signaling pathway to enhance the plant’s defenses against pathogens.
From roots to leaves: the nitrogen connection to photosynthetic efficiency
Delving into the nuances of plant nutrition, researchers have discovered that the form of nitrogen intake profoundly affects the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants. This pivotal finding sheds light on how plants process and utilize nitrogen, offering critical insights for enhancing crop productivity and optimizing nitrogen use in agriculture.
Synchrotron-Based Imaging Techniques Enhance Understanding of Soybean Nodule Structures for Improved Nitrogen Fixation Efficiency
A research team used synchrotron-based X-ray microcomputed tomography (SR-μCT) to non-invasively obtain high-quality 3D images of fresh soybean root nodules, quantifying the volumes of the central infected zone (CIZ) and vascular bundles (VBs).
Unlocking the frost-defying secrets of the white water lily
In a recent discovery poised to enhance agricultural resilience, scientists have demystified the elaborate cold resistance mechanisms of the white water lily—a plant that flourishes in the frigid climes of Xinjiang’s lofty terrains. A thorough investigation into the lily’s morphological adaptations, strategic resource distribution, and metabolic reactions has unveiled an intricate regulatory framework encompassing phytohormone signaling, amino acid metabolism, and circadian rhythms. This revelation provides invaluable insights for bolstering the cold resistance of crops.
Grafted cucumbers get a boost: pumpkin’s secret to withstanding salinity
A pivotal study has discovered a genetic synergy between pumpkin and cucumber that fortifies the latter’s resilience against salinity. The research illuminates the role of the CmoDREB2A transcription factor from pumpkin, which, when interacted with cucumber’s CmoNAC1, forms a regulatory loop that enhances salt tolerance.
Blooming through adversity: roses’ genetic defense against salinity stress
A cutting-edge study illuminates the intricate mechanisms of rose plants’ resistance to salt stress, a critical issue for global agriculture. The research identifies the phenylpropane pathway, especially flavonoids, as key to this tolerance, offering insights into potential genetic modifications for crops to thrive in saline conditions.
From greenhouse to desert: ethylene receptor’s role in rose salt tolerance unveiled
A study reveals a novel mechanism in roses where the Tryptophan-rich sensory protein (TSPO) degrades the ethylene receptor ETHYLENE RESPONSE 3 (RhETR3) to enhance salt tolerance.
A systematic review of three key sugar metabolism proteins, HXK, SnRK1 and TOR, in the regulatory network of plant growth, development and stress
Sugar signalling is one of the most important regulatory signals for plant growth and development, and its metabolic network contains many regulatory factors.
Researchers Identify Elusive Carbon Dioxide Sensor in Plants that Controls Water Loss
UC San Diego scientists have identified a long-sought carbon dioxide sensor in plants, a discovery that holds implications for trees, crops and wildfires. The researchers found that two proteins work together to form the sensor, which is key for water evaporation, photosynthesis and plant growth.
Shining a new light on the importance of a critical photosynthesis pathway in plants
Photosynthesis is one of the most important chemical reactions, not just for plants but also for the entire world.
Study examines how well-timed cover crops can suppress weeds in California orchards
California’s commercial orchards are home to nearly 2.5 million acres of almonds, walnuts, stone fruit and similar crops.
$25M center will use digital tools to ‘communicate’ with plants
The new Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems, or CROPPS, funded by a five-year, $25 million National Science Foundation grant, aims to grow a new field called digital biology.
How plants become good neighbours in times of stress
Scientists from the University of Bristol and the John Innes Centre have discovered how plants manage to live alongside each other in places that are dark and shady.