Researchers have significantly improved maize transformation efficiency using ternary vectors and morphogenic regulators. This advancement enhances gene-editing research and potential agricultural applications by overcoming a major bottleneck in maize transformation frequency.
A recent survey of over 4,500 Americans reveals that increased knowledge about gene editing correlates with greater acceptance of its safety for agricultural and medical applications. The study emphasizes the need for effective science communication to shift public opinion, highlighting a general preference for gene editing over genetic modification.
Researchers have created an improved family tree for Solanum plants, revealing that fruit color and size evolved together, challenging previous theories that fruit-eating animals were the primary drivers. This study offers insights for breeding better crops.
Goldenrod plants exhibit adaptive responses to environmental cues, such as perceiving nearby plants through far-red light and changing behavior when attacked by herbivores. This ability to solve problems and adjust based on environmental information is argued to fit a very basic definition of intelligence, challenging traditional views on plant cognition.
A global shortage of skilled plant breeders threatens food security. With many specialists nearing retirement and fewer graduates entering the field, urgent action is needed to bolster training and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production worldwide.
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 a green thumb, fostering beneficial bacterial communities around the roots.
Researchers fine-tuned sugarcane leaf angles by editing varying copies of the LG1 gene in its genome, optimizing light capture and increasing biomass yield. A specific edit led to a 56% decrease in leaf angle and an 18% increase in biomass. This CRISPR breakthrough enhances crop yield without extra fertilizers.
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.
Researchers in Malaysia discovered Thismia malayana, a tiny plant species that parasitizes underground fungi for nutrients. This 2 cm-long mycoheterotroph thrives in low-light forest understories. Sensitive to environmental changes, it is classified as Vulnerable, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that the N-terminal extension (NTE) of AGO proteins, crucial for RNA-associated gene regulation, interacts with PRMT5 to undergo symmetric arginine dimethylation. This modification alters small RNA loading and AGO1 functionality, highlighting the importance of post-translational modifications in plant gene expression.
