Plant Science

Native to the eastern U.S., Carolina azolla holds excellent potential for use as a fast-growing, short-season crop that requires minimal inputs, upkeep, and processing, according to Penn State researchers. The plant — sometimes referred to as mosquito fern, fairy moss, and water fern — could be used to increase the food supply. Credit: Penn StateThe rapidly expanding aquatic fern possesses the nutritional profile necessary to act as a crucial food source in post-disaster scenarios and could be relevant now.An…

Boreal forests contain diverse fungal endophytes essential for plant health and ecosystem resilience, with new research revealing their unique biodiversity and climate sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving these fungi amidst changing climates.Spruce, pine, fir, and additional varieties of trees dominate the chilly expanses of territory that stretch across North America, northern Europe, and Russia, forming a vast circumpolar belt around the globe. These boreal forests represent the most…

A USC study reveals that plants use their circadian clocks and a specific protein, ABF3, to manage environmental stress, offering new approaches to develop crops resistant to drought and soil salinity. This research paves the way for genetically improved crops, potentially boosting resilience and yield in the face of climate change.Recent research reveals that plants employ their internal circadian rhythms to adapt to fluctuations in water availability and salt levels, presenting a novel strategy for developing crops that…

New research maps the spread of potato blight in the USA between 1843 and 1845, uncovering the disease’s early impact and the mid-19th century’s responses to it, including theories of its cause and proposed treatments. Credit: SciTechDaily.comEarly mapping of potato blight in the USA offers insights into the disease’s initial spread and contemporary theories on its causes and remedies before reaching Europe.The first accurate maps of outbreaks of potato blight — a disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora…

Researchers used text analysis on historical documents and social media to trace the spread of Phytophthora infestans, the plant pathogen behind the Irish potato famine. This method provided insights into the pathogen’s history and ongoing challenges it poses, underscoring the value of textual analysis in understanding plant diseases. Credit: SciTechDaily.comText analytics revealed new insights into the spread of Phytophthora infestans, from its historical impact on the Irish potato famine to its modern presence. This…

A recent study on leguminous plants has uncovered the role of IRON MAN (IMA) peptides in facilitating the collection of iron into root nodules during rhizobial symbiosis. This process is vital for nitrogen fixation, a key aspect of plant growth and nitrogen homeostasis. Credit: SciTechDaily.comIMA peptides in legumes enhance iron acquisition for nitrogen fixation, offering insights into sustainable agriculture practices.Leguminous plants have a mechanism (rhizobial symbiosis) to efficiently acquire nitrogen, which is an…

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a method to protect plants from herbivorous mammals by using artificial odors that mimic the smell of plants these animals avoid. This strategy, proven to reduce the likelihood of plant consumption by 20 times, offers a humane and cost-effective alternative to traditional protective measures, with potential applications in conservation and agriculture worldwide. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA novel approach by the University of Sydney utilizes artificial scents to deter…

A team from RIKEN CSRS has traced the evolutionary history of plant immune receptors, revealing their common ancestry with growth proteins and the potential for creating pathogen-resistant crops through genetic engineering. Credit: SciTechDaily.comRIKEN researchers have mapped the evolution of plant immunity, uncovering a pathway to engineer crops with enhanced disease resistance.Plants are continuously evolving new immune receptors to ever-changing pathogens. Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource…

A novel method for producing the key vaccine ingredient QS-21 in tobacco plants has been developed, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional extraction from the soapbark tree and enhancing vaccine manufacturing. Credit: SciTechDaily.comSoap bark discovery offers a sustainability booster for the global vaccine market, opening unprecedented opportunities for bioengineering vaccine adjuvants.A valuable molecule sourced from the soapbark tree and used as a key ingredient in vaccines, has been replicated in an…

Research on the High Plains Aquifer reveals the critical link between aquifer depletion and crop yields, stressing the importance of efficient groundwater management for agricultural resilience.Yield losses intensify when groundwater dwindles, data shows.Three decades of data have informed a new Nebraska-led study that shows how the depletion of groundwater — the same that many farmers rely on for irrigation — can threaten food production amid drought and drier climes.The study found that, due in part to the challenges of…