PULLMAN, Wash. — Planting wheat earlier in the spring to avoid crop damage from ever-hotter summers may not keep harvests on pace with current levels. That’s a key finding from new research at Washington State University challenging assumptions that earlier planting could offset the effects of a warming climate. Researchers used computer modeling to show that moving crop plantings earlier in the season brings about other plant growth issues that could hinder productivity. The findings were published in Communications, Earth, and…
The lentils now grown in the Canary Islands have a history that stretches back almost 2,000 years on the site. This is shown in the very first genetic study of archaeological lentils, carried out by researchers at Linköping University and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. Since these lentils have been adapted for cultivation in hot and dry climates for a very long time, they may become valuable for plant breeding in the light of ongoing…
The advent of agriculture in the Neolithic era transformed human culture, giving rise to permanent settlements, social complexity, and food surpluses. Traditionally, the origins of key crops such as wheat, barley, and legumes have been traced to the Fertile Crescent about 10,000 years ago, where the Natufians harvested wild grains. A new study, however, reveals that by at least 9,200 years ago, communities far to the north and east—in southern Uzbekistan—were also harvesting wild barley using sickle blades. This discovery…
Researchers at the University of Nottingham’s School of Biosciences have identified the critical elements that influence chocolate flavour during the fermentation of cocoa beans. Their findings, published today in Nature Microbiology, may furnish chocolate manufacturers with effective methods to reliably generate high-quality, flavor-rich chocolate. The researchers studied the impact of abiotic variables, including temperature and pH, as well as microbial communities, on the fermentation process. They identified microbial species and metabolic characteristics closely associated with fine-flavor chocolate, determining these elements…
Flowers are central to plant reproduction and have held cultural and ornamental significance for centuries. Among them, the African violet (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia ionanthus Wendl.) is particularly admired for its striking variety of petal color patterns. These patterns result from the accumulation of anthocyanins—pigments that create a spectrum of hues. One variety, the white-striped African violet, has been cultivated for its unique appearance. Until now, scientists believed these stripes were caused by periclinal chimera—genetically distinct cell layers producing different colors….
Investigating plant vegetative reproduction is essential for enhancing crop yield and advancing bioengineering. Kobe University research is advancing in the investigation of genetic regulation in liverworts, which serve as exemplary model plants and potential candidates for space agriculture. Potatoes are tubers, while ginger is a rhizome; both represent modes of vegetative plant reproduction, wherein plants produce structures that can give rise to genetically identical individuals. This reproductive mode is crucial for agriculture and horticulture; nevertheless, research on the underlying genetic…
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, employed artificial intelligence to enhance plants’ ability to identify a broader spectrum of bacterial dangers, perhaps resulting in novel methods to safeguard crops such as tomatoes and potatoes against severe diseases. The research was published in Nature Plants. Plants possess immune systems analogous to those of animals. Their defence arsenal include immunological receptors that enable the detection and defence against germs. One receptor, known as FLS2, assists plants in identifying flagellin – a…
Potatoes produce a molecule that is converted by microbes and causes potato parasites to hatch. The Kobe University discovery of this three-way relationship not only adds a new perspective to how plants interact with their environment, it also opens an avenue for developing countermeasures against the parasite. The potato cyst nematode is a root parasite in plants like potatoes and tomatoes that can cause large-scale yield loss if left untreated. Their eggs can survive in the soil for up to…
Two-year study offers insight on rice cultivar tolerance to newly registered herbicide FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A word of caution to rice growers: the herbicide fluridone has become a valuable tool in fighting Palmer pigweed, but it can cause injury to some rice cultivars, depending on when it is used. Registered under the trade name Brake by SePRO Corporation, fluridone is a residual herbicide used to suppress grasses and broadleaf weeds before they emerge, also known as a preemergence herbicide. In…
First-of-its-kind global study shows grasslands can withstand climate extremes with a boost of nutrients Fertilizer might be stronger than we thought. A new international study featuring faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought, findings which could have implications for agriculture and food systems in a world facing climate stressors. “Resources such as nutrients and water have been fundamentally altered by humans on a global scale, and…
Fishing pots fitted with LED lights catch significantly more shrimp and fish, new research shows. In the new study, by the University of Exeter and Fishtek Marine, pots fitted with LEDs caught up to 19 times more northern shrimp than unlit pots. Importantly, illuminated pots also attracted fish – raising hopes for new low-impact fishing. “We think that the light attracts zooplankton – like moths around a flame – which in turn attracts shrimp (which eat zooplankton), and that entices…
Increasing overlap of fire weather between Australia and North America complicates international firefighting efforts Climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires in many regions of the world. This is due partly to specific weather conditions – known as fire weather – that facilitate the spread of wildfires. Researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and Australian colleagues have found that fire weather seasons are increasingly overlapping between eastern Australia and western North America. The research team examined…
Thornless, disease-resistant, and tastier blackberries could be on the horizon — thanks to new genetic research from the University of Florida. New UF blackberry varieties could provide a boon for farmers looking to rebound after the decline of Florida citrus and who see an opportunity to meet the growing demand for blackberries, which have soared in popularity in recent years. “Overall, this study not only advances our understanding of blackberry genetics, but it sets the stage for significant improvements in…
Discovered genes provide strategies to protect rice crops against climate change and to domesticate wild relatives that can grow in currently unproductive habitats A new study, seen in Nature Genetics and led by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST; Saudi Arabia) and Wageningen University & Research (the Netherlands), provides new insights on rice evolution, showing how the DNA of this valuable crop has changed across species. The findings are expected to not only help with improving…
Chinese scientists have discovered that fragile swamp forests in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region suddenly collapsed around 2.1 thousand years ago (ka)—with human activity as the cause. The study, led by researchers from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry and the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, sheds new light on the role of human activity in ecosystem collapse. Published in Science Advances, the study focuses on Glyptostrobus pensilis (G. pensilis), a critically endangered species of Chinese swamp cypress that once…
By analyzing DNA from different cells in nearly 200 lines of maize plants, research led by the University of Michigan has revealed insights that could help growers better adapt their crops to a fast-changing environment. The new study led by Alexandre Marand reveals previously hidden information about the activity of genes inside different cell types. This provides essential context that helps better understand how the molecular biology of a lineage connects to its readily visible traits, or its phenotype. This…
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