May 21

Four APC Waivers, Six Research Topics: The 2026 GPC × Frontiers Call Is Now Open

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, GPC Community

2026 Global Plant Council × Frontiers Research Topics Call is officially open for submissions. Through this partnership with Frontiers in Plant Science, the GPC will award four full Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers to plant scientists submitting manuscripts to one…

Feb 02

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Why are stress-resistant crops still rare? Bridging the gap between discovery and the field

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, Plant Science, Post

Over the past three decades, plant scientists have identified thousands of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to tolerance against drought, heat, salinity, and other environmental stresses. These discoveries have transformed our understanding of how plants sense and respond…

Feb 21

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Image: Black pepper. Credit: by Rachel Benn from Pixabay

Noticing the Treasure – The Orphan Crops with Pocket-Sized Machines

By Isabel Agriculture, Blog, ECRi, Plant Science, Post

Orphan crops, as the name implies, are often ignored. Yet, they have great potential to improve global food security. These underutilised plants, primarily grown in Africa, Asia, and South America, are staples in local diets but receive minimal attention in…

Jul 23

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Image: Rice field image. Credit: Pixabay

Breakthrough in rice cultivation! Fast growing rice leads to at least 40% yield gains

By Isabel Agriculture, Blog, ECRi, Post

Scientists discovered that the OsDREB1C gene boosts rice yield by at least 40%. This gene enhances photosynthesis, growth, and nitrogen use, leading to larger, more abundant grains. Field trials confirmed these benefits, suggesting significant potential for addressing global food security…

Jul 12

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Growing better together: How microbe friends help rice plants be more efficient

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, Plant Science, Post

Scientists have found that rice plants use a special gene, NRT1.1B, to attract helpful microbes that aid in nitrogen absorption. This discovery means rice can grow more efficiently with less fertilizer, benefiting farmers and the environment. The gene acts like…

Jul 10

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Image: Modified from Nina Vinot (https://medium.com/illumination/gut-microbiome-soil-microbiome-different-ecosystems-same-principles-2231ae0637a) and Loo et al. 2024.

Plants have good microbes in their roots, as you have in your guts!

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, Plant Science, Post

Scientists revealed that plants distribute sugars to specific root zones to nourish beneficial microbes. Disrupting this sugar transport may promote harmful microbes, impacting plant health. A new plant-growing device mimics soil conditions to study this intricate relationship.

Jul 05

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Image: Tree, Trunk, Roots image. Credit: DaveMeier / Pixabay

Europe’s Forests at Risk: The Hidden Crisis of Tree Species Extinction

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, Forestry, Post

Europe's forests face a hidden crisis due to climate change, threatening tree species extinction. Research predicts only three out of 69 native species will thrive by 2090, impacting timber, carbon storage, and biodiversity. This calls for adaptable forest management to…

Oct 17

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Image: soy plant in the field, with close-up of soybean pod. Credit: Julio César García / Pixabay

BONZAI Genes and Salinity Stress: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, News, Post

In the field of agricultural science, understanding the intricacies of soybean resilience holds profound significance. Soybeans (Glycine max) are a pivotal crop species, highly regarded for their versatility and their substantial contribution to global food and feed supplies, as well…

Jul 21

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Exciting Breakthrough in Chickpea Research: Unraveling the Secrets of Drought and Root Rot Resistance

By Isabel Blog, ECRi, Post

A team of researchers has made significant strides in understanding how a tiny molecule, known as MicroRNA397, can play a crucial role in enhancing chickpea's resilience against drought and dry root rot disease.

May 04

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Relaxing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to improve photosynthesis in crops

By Isabel Blog, Plant Science, Post, Science communication

The conversion of energy from the sun into biochemical energy by plants and other photosynthetically competent organisms drives and sustains life on the earth. While the ability to perform photosynthesis provides autotrophic growth, it can be a double-edged sword.

ECRi

Four APC Waivers, Six Research Topics: The 2026 GPC × Frontiers Call Is Now Open

Why are stress-resistant crops still rare? Bridging the gap between discovery and the field

Noticing the Treasure – The Orphan Crops with Pocket-Sized Machines

Breakthrough in rice cultivation! Fast growing rice leads to at least 40% yield gains

Growing better together: How microbe friends help rice plants be more efficient

Plants have good microbes in their roots, as you have in your guts!

Europe’s Forests at Risk: The Hidden Crisis of Tree Species Extinction

BONZAI Genes and Salinity Stress: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture

Exciting Breakthrough in Chickpea Research: Unraveling the Secrets of Drought and Root Rot Resistance

Relaxing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to improve photosynthesis in crops

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