Researchers discovered that different photoreceptors control distinct regions of a seedling’s stem. The photoreceptor cry1 reserves energy for later elongation, helping plants reemerge if buried. Using machine learning and genetic editing, the team’s findings could inform crop innovation, making plants more resilient and improving agricultural success.
Pollinators boost both crop yield and quality, yet their species-specific behavior and crop distribution patterns are often overlooked. Researchers stress the need to enhance cross-pollination to improve nutrient content. Optimizing landscape design and plant variety interactions can maximize benefits for both agriculture and consumer health.
Scientists purified a bacterial enzyme to study its role in plant immunity suppression. Their findings suggest soil bacteria use similar enzymes to either aid plant growth or help pathogens evade detection. Understanding this balance could inform agricultural applications, ensuring plants grow efficiently without compromising disease resistance.
Scientists have successfully increased protein content in crops, even under high CO₂ conditions, by enhancing the serine biosynthesis pathway through genetic engineering. This breakthrough improves plant nutrition, reduces reliance on resource-intensive animal products, and supports sustainable diets. The research, involving European institutions, could revolutionize food security and environmental sustainability.
Scientists have uncovered a genetic mechanism in walnuts and their ancestors that has remained stable for 40 million years. Male-first or female-first flowering, balanced by a single genetic locus, parallels sex determination in animals. This evolutionary trait ensures genetic diversity, with distinct pathways evolving independently in walnuts and pecans.
Raking dead grass (thatch) helps native plants grow by improving light access, according to a study. In three-year tests, raking increased plant diversity, reduced invasive grasses, and boosted wildflowers. While it also raised some invasive wildflowers, raking offers a low-cost, eco-friendly method for restoring native ecosystems and reducing wildfire risks.
Established in 2015 and recently updated, MIBiG sets a global standard for annotating biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and their products. Its online, open-access database now catalogs ~2,500 pathways, with contributions from 288 scientists worldwide. Updates include verified entries, biosynthesis steps, and evidence linking BGCs to metabolites.
Scientists have developed a diagnostic tool to identify quinoa plants resistant to downy mildew, aiding breeders in creating resilient varieties. The tool also ensures quinoa seed shipments are disease-free, preventing outbreaks. As quinoa’s popularity rises, the tool offers insights into the pathogen’s spread, enhancing management strategies for sustainable production.
Intensive land use for agriculture in tropical regions, driven by international trade, has caused over 90% of biodiversity loss since 1995, far exceeding previous estimates of 20-30%. Research using satellite data highlights hotspots like Brazil, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Solutions include transparent supply chains, fair pricing, and promoting sustainable domestic agriculture.
Extreme heat and drought threaten the Fremont cottonwood, a tree vital to desert ecosystems. Research shows these trees, which rely on water to thrive, struggle under combined stress. As water sources dry up, cottonwoods die, reducing biodiversity, cooling effects, and habitats for wildlife. Restoration efforts aim to adapt trees to harsher conditions.
