Plant Science

Under the right conditions, duckweed essentially farms itself. Wastewater, ponds, puddles, swamps—you name it. If there’s enough sunlight and carbon dioxide, the aquatic plant can grow freely. But that’s not all that makes it intriguing. Packed inside duckweed’s tiny fronds…

Parasitic weeds devastate crops in food-insecure regions by hijacking plant signals. Scientists have found a way to trick these weeds into germinating when no host is present, causing them to die. Using engineered microbes, they’re producing key plant hormones to…

Ancient tree rings reveal how climate influenced Chinese dynastic history. Research on Qilian Juniper trees on the Tibetan Plateau shows arid periods coincided with dynastic upheavals. Understanding past climate impacts helps address current global climate change. The study highlights links…

The Rubisco enzyme, responsible for capturing significant carbon from the atmosphere, is crucial for photosynthesis. Recent research has mapped mutant Rubisco molecules, unveiling potential enhancements in its function, which could revolutionize plant CO2 assimilation and adapt to future climates.

New study reveals that solar parks can enhance biodiversity through vegetation succession, where diverse plant species evolve over time. The study shows solar parks not only accommodate energy needs but also support ecosystems, highlighting a need for sustainable management practices,…

In the world’s longest-running ecological experiment, researchers found that increasing fertilizer use in agricultural grasslands reduces flower numbers five-fold and halves pollinator populations. Reducing fertilizer boosts biodiversity but lowers yields. A potential solution involves limiting nitrogen while maintaining other nutrients,…