Ice age cycles had minimal impact on the genetic diversity of European trees, finds a new study. High diversity arose from traits like long lifespans and pollen traveling vast distances. This resilience offers hope for forests adapting to today’s rapid climate changes.
Scientists have identified genes that enable plants to produce dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a molecule enhancing stress tolerance. High DMSP levels allow plants like Spartina grass to thrive in salty environments. This breakthrough could improve crop resilience to drought and salinity, advancing sustainable agriculture amid climate change challenges.
Researchers found that honey bee apiaries and urban areas reduce populations of certain native bees, particularly ground-nesters and late-season foragers. Six of 33 studied bee genera were affected, notably Svastra and Florilegus. Strategies like planting late-blooming flowers and preserving ground for nesting could support vulnerable bee populations.
The Late Devonian Alasemenia fossil reveals the oldest known winged seeds, featuring three wings optimized for wind dispersal. Mathematical analysis showed that three-winged seeds spin more stably than seeds with one, two, or four wings, allowing farther dispersal. This suggests early wind dispersal strategies evolved in plants 360 million years ago.
A new study provides updated guidelines for accurately estimating plant genome size using flow cytometry. Researchers identified sources of error—such as tissue type, buffer choice, and fluorochrome variations—that can affect accuracy by ±29% or more. Revised reference standards and best practices aim to improve reliability in genome sizing.
Plants use pigments called phytochromes to sense light and temperature, adjusting growth and metabolism accordingly. Rising temperatures, however, disrupt these processes. Researchers found that under red light, phytochrome responses vary with temperature and light intensity, potentially allowing precise control of plant gene activation for biotechnology.
A study reveals that treed field borders around crops significantly boost populations of hoverflies—key insects for pollination and pest control. Compared to grassy borders, treed edges supplied over 33 times more hoverflies, supporting crop yields and pest reduction. This strategy aids sustainable agriculture while enhancing biodiversity.
Phytoplankton blooms in Antarctic waters help slow ice shelf melting by 7%. These marine microbes trap heat near the surface and provide shade, cooling deeper waters and reducing the impact of sunlight. However, a feedback loop with iron from melting ice limits their growth, highlighting a complex climate interaction.
Researchers have uncovered how plants prevent viruses from being passed to their offspring through seeds. They identified an immune pathway, involving RNA interference, that blocks viral transmission. This discovery could improve crop health and may have broader applications, potentially reducing mother-to-child virus transmission in humans.
Researchers improved the survival and growth of *Serianthes nelsonii*, an endangered tree, by using under-plant mirrors to reflect sunlight. This technique increased light availability by over 70%, boosting seedling survival by 160% and plant height by 170%, offering a low-cost conservation strategy for threatened species.
