Cowpea is an important crop in many parts of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. It is resilient and can grow in areas with little rainfall and low-quality soils. But as hardy as it is, cowpea yields can decrease by drought and low levels of soil phosphorus.
Roots are normally associated with things that live underground, in the damp and the dark. Think of turnips, radishes and yams. However, many plants make their roots above ground. Ivy uses its roots to climb on buildings and the mighty ficus tree uses them to support their large branches. What makes plants form roots in the “wrong place,” so to speak? That would be like us humans sprouting legs from our shoulders.
Massive study of the relationships among grasses provides insight to the evolution of a type of photosynthesis involved in heat and drought tolerance.
The whole genome of 628 wild and cultivated plants have been analyzed to unravel some details of the complex American tomato history.
A study shows that growing carp, mitten crabs, or softshell turtles in rice paddies could help farmers produce food in a more sustainable way.
In new research, scientists used bioinformatics and deep sequencing to identify soil viruses and better understand their roles in the Earth. Most of these viruses infect bacteria, and are thus thought to play an important part in maintaining microbial populations.
Research team shows potential for sustainable land use in Madagascar the most important country for vanilla production – the fragrant ingredient that is a favourite flavour for ice cream, cakes and cookies.
Scientists observed that ergot, a common plant disease on rye, defended its host plant chemically against grass feeding insects. The ergot disease in grains spoils the yield and causes seed loss to the plant. Based on this, it is classified as harmful from the human perspective. A new study states that the ergot appears to be a beneficial protector for its host plant capable of even increasing plant fitness.
More extense use of existing genetically modified crops in Europe could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Weeds, the world’s most unwanted plants, might help trees make more fruit.
