Tag

plant science Archives - Page 50 of 91 - The Global Plant Council

Study finds that heavy metal-contaminated leafy greens turn purple

By | Agriculture, Fruits and Vegetables, News

Some might say you look a little green when you are sick. Leafy greens actually turn purple — although not obvious to the human eye, it can be seen through advanced hyperspectral imaging (different than purple varieties of some vegetables). Researchers discovered this color change in kale and basil stressed by cadmium, a heavy metal toxic to human and animal health.

Read More

Exploring the surprising breadth of plant viruses that hitchhike on pollen

By | News, Plant Science

We rely on pollinators like honeybees to grow a wide array of the world’s crops. But that same reliance may put plants at risk of disease, according to new research. In the first study to take a broad look at virus hitchhikers on pollen grains, biologists show that a variety of viruses travel on pollen — especially in areas close to agriculture and human development where honeybees dominate. 

Read More

Plants: RNA notes to self

By | News, Plant Science

How does a developing plant shoot know how, where, and when to grow? Dividing cells need to pass messages from one another to coordinate growth. In plants, important messages are packaged into RNA, which are sent from cell to cell. By studying Arabidopsis thaliana, researchers found that RNA messages need a special protein to escort them where they need to go. Without this escort, cells cannot coordinate and the plant fails to develop properly. 

Read More

One gene closer to a super sorghum

By | Agriculture, News, Plant Science

Scientists are honing the traits of speed, strength and near invulnerability in sorghum, a very important food crop. Achieving a milestone in their pursuit of the Superman of sorghum plants, scientists identified a single gene that confers broad protection from the fungal diseases anthracnose, rust and target spot. 

Read More
The plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Credit: Salk Institute

Plants rely on the classy gene family to diversify their epigenomes

By | News, Plant Science

What determines how a cell’s genome is regulated to ensure proper growth and development? Turns out, the parts of the genome that are turned on or off in each cell-type or tissue play a major role in this process. Now, a research team has shown that the CLASSY gene family regulates which parts of the genome are turned off in a tissue-specific manner. The CLASSYs essentially control where the genome is marked by DNA methylation—the addition of methyl chemical groups to the DNA that act like tags saying, “turn off.” Because DNA methylation exists across diverse organisms, including plants and animals, this research has broad implications for both agriculture and medicine.

Read More

Join the International “Fascination of Plants Day” in May 2022

By | Blog, EPSO, Global Collaborations, Science communication

The fascinating world of plants will be once more in the spotlight thanks to the EPSO, which invites you to celebrate the sixth Fascination of Plants Day on and around May 18th 2022. For this purpose, scientific institutions together with schools, farmers and companies will offer a variety of plant-based interactive events and activities for all interested people from toddlers to grandparents.

Read More