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….