Dr. Robert Ferl, a molecular biologist and professor at the University of Florida, discusses his work on understanding how organisms, particularly plants, adapt to extreme environments, including space. He highlights his recent spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, where he conducted experiments to study the effects of space travel on plants.
In a new study, researchers have determined through both statistical analysis and in experiments that soil pH is a driver of microbial community composition – but that the need to address toxicity released during nitrogen cycling ultimately shapes the final microbial community.
Midwestern soils are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to extensive tile drainage systems that remove excess water from crop fields. But water isn’t the only thing flowing through tile drains. Nitrogen moves along with soil water into drainage ditches, streams, and ultimately into the Mississippi River Basin, where the nutrient contributes to massive algal blooms and hypoxic conditions that impact aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gazing out on a freshwater pond, you may see tiny green plants with oval shaped leaves floating in clusters. In overgrown ponds, these plants coat the water’s surface. These plants – called duckweed or water lentils – can grow so fast that they can double their numbers in just one to two days.
A pivotal study has revealed the genetic drivers of red pigmentation in apple flesh, highlighting the critical role of anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. By mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) across diverse apple families, researchers identified key genetic regions linked to this vibrant coloration, setting the stage for developing apples with deeper hues and enhanced health benefits.
A recent study has identified CaSLR1, a gene in pepper plants, as a key regulator of stem strength by controlling cell wall development. This discovery offers significant potential for agriculture, paving the way for breeding crops with enhanced resistance to lodging. Such improvements can lead to increased yield stability and reduced production costs, providing substantial benefits for farmers.
A research team investigates how varying levels of salinity, commonly found in municipal tap water, affect the growth and nutritional content of microgreens.
A research team reveals the potential of microbial treatments in significantly increasing rice yields in Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya.
Scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism in pak choi that boosts drought tolerance by regulating ascorbic acid levels. By silencing the BcSRC2 gene, researchers found that the plant’s ascorbic acid content decreased, reducing its drought resistance. Conversely, overexpressing BcSRC2 raised ascorbic acid levels, enhancing the plant’s tolerance. This finding could guide future breeding strategies to help crops cope with water scarcity.
A research team has revealed that the strategic combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly improves soil nutrient supply, enhances rice growth, and boosts grain yield in rice ratooning systems.
A pivotal study has decoded the genetic basis of olive oil production, revealing a key regulatory mechanism that shapes oil biosynthesis. By mapping the olive tree’s genome and metabolic pathways, researchers have identified how MYC2, a critical transcription factor, orchestrates the balance between fatty acid and flavonoid synthesis.
Scientists have decoded the genetic blueprint of Atractylodes lancea, a prized herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Through comprehensive genome resequencing, the study unveils how natural variations drive the plant's evolution and metabolic adaptations, particularly affecting the production of key medicinal compounds.
A recent study discovered that applying 5-Azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, significantly reduces tomato susceptibility to gray mold, a common postharvest fungal disease. This epigenetic strategy enhances the fruit's natural defense system, offering a sustainable and innovative method to boost crop resistance without genetic modification.
A recent study unveils new insights into the complex regulatory mechanisms behind strawberry fruit ripening. By analyzing histone modifications, researchers have mapped a detailed chromatin structure model that governs the ripening process, emphasizing the critical role of histone acetylation in regulating gene expression during fruit maturation. This breakthrough could lead to strategies for improving strawberry quality and shelf life, with potential applications for other fruits.
Stephen Ritz, a renowned educator and the visionary founder of Green Bronx Machine is joining forces with Babylon Micro-Farms as their new brand ambassador, with a shared goal: to accelerate the adoption of vertical farming in classrooms across America.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has created a first-of-its-kind all-organic plant e-skin for continuous and non-invasive plant monitoring.
A research team created seven learning models using Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms to discern flowering-time-associated genes (FTAGs) from non-FTAGs, with the SVM-Kmer-PC-PseAAC model performing the best (F1 score = 0.934, accuracy = 0.939, and receiver operating characterstic = 0.943).
In a notable advancement, scientists have developed an efficient gene functional analysis method for peach seedlings, overcoming longstanding hurdles in genetic transformation. Utilizing a TRV-based vector system, this innovative approach induces high-frequency gene silencing across diverse plant tissues, enabling in-depth analysis of genes essential for growth and development. The streamlined process notably shortens the transformation and analysis timeline to just 1.5 months, accelerating advancements in horticultural research.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research that aims to connect the dots between quantitative and molecular genetics and improve crop breeding.
A new study reveals critical insights into how apple trees respond to Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a severe fungal disease impacting apple yields. Focusing on the regulatory roles of valine–glutamine (VQ) and WRKY proteins in plant defense, the research offers promising pathways for breeding disease-resistant apple varieties.
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