Feature Channels: Plants

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Morning glory plants that can resist the effects of glyphosate also resist damage from herbivorous insects, according to a University of Michigan study.

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A new study has discovered that siderophores, molecules produced by certain bacteria, are instrumental in the microbiome's defense against Ralstonia solanacearum, a pathogen causing severe crop losses. The research indicates that siderophores significantly boost the inhibitory effects of Pseudomonas strains on the pathogen, particularly under iron-limited conditions, offering a new avenue for developing eco-friendly disease control strategies in agriculture.

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A research team has leveraged cutting-edge noninvasive phenotyping technologies to monitor plant stress across multiple vegetative organs.

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A research team reveals how a low-cost imaging phenotyping system successfully uncovers the mechanisms of quantitative disease resistance (QDR) in wild tomato species.

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Solis will provide end-to-end genomics services enabling better-informed decisions, resulting in the development of more productive and resilient plants and animals

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A collaboration between The Wistar Institute and the University of Buea in Cameroon has uncovered the mechanisms for a medicinal plant with anti-HIV potential in Croton oligandrus Pierre & Hutch, a species of African tree that has been used in traditional healing in Cameroon to treat a variety of diseases and conditions including cancers and diabetes.

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Climate change is a persistent and growing challenge to plant life on our planet. Changes to the environment that plants are unaccustomed to affect how they grow, putting much at risk. Increasingly, plant scientists are trying to determine how these environmental changes will impact plant life and whether plants will be able to acclimate to a new status quo.

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Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing, is a plant disease that has decimated citrus production in the U.S., particularly in Florida, California and Texas, the top three citrus-producing states. It affects almost all citrus species, including orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime trees. It has caused reduced yields, financial losses for producers and higher citrus prices for consumers.

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Alternative proteins—meat made from plants, cultivated from animal cells, or produced via fermentation—offer consumers the foods they love made with more sustainable protein sources. To evaluate the potential of plant-based meat to reduce the environmental impacts of the food system, the Good Food Institute commissioned EarthShift Global to complete a comprehensive, ISO-certified life cycle assessment (LCA). This LCA is the most comprehensive, open-access LCA conducted to date (2024).

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Rick Bennett, Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky, has been awarded the 2024 J. Roger Porter Award.

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The interplay between the genetic makeup of crops and the conditions in which they grow is difficult to untangle. A research team led by an Iowa State University professor aims to help breeders analyze the interactions to make crops more resilient and productive.

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We have probably all seen a soybean plant, about 1 meter high with leaves and pods compactly arranged on a main stem with a few short side branches. The wild relative of the domesticated soybean is a long vine with pods widely distributed on many side branches. Plant breeding by farmers thousands of years ago is to thank for this dramatic change.

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A research team has identified 2,586 orphan genes (OGs) in Rosa chinensis, offering new insights into the role of these unique genes in flower development, stress response, and environmental adaptation.

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Nitrogen and potassium are fundamental nutrients for plant growth, but imbalances frequently disrupt agricultural systems. In apple orchards, low potassium can severely limit carbon and nitrogen metabolism, impairing photosynthesis and yield. Potassium availability is often reduced by environmental factors such as soil leaching, while nitrogen is frequently over-applied due to its affordability and yield-enhancing effects. Given these challenges, optimizing nitrogen and potassium levels in apple trees warrants further research to counter the negative impact of nutrient imbalances on plant health and productivity.

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A pivotal study has uncovered a genetic defense mechanism in lily plants against Botrytis cinerea, the fungus behind gray mold disease. Central to this defense is LlHSFA4, a transcription factor that, when activated, initiates a robust response against the pathogen. This discovery could transform strategies for protecting horticultural crops from severe fungal infections.

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Pioneering research has pinpointed key vacuolar transporters in citrus fruits that regulate taste by balancing citric acid and sugar levels. This discovery illuminates the genetic pathways controlling flavor, laying the groundwork for cultivating citrus varieties with optimized sweetness and acidity—a promising development for both consumers and the agricultural sector.

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Alfalfa, a globally significant forage crop, is now the focus of multi-omics database of M. sativa (MODMS), a pioneering multi-omics database aimed at accelerating genetic research and unlocking new insights into its agronomic potential. By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, MODMS provides researchers a robust platform to explore the crop’s complex biological systems and potential applications.

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A recent study reveals the critical role of sorbitol in driving age-dependent growth shifts in apple plants. Researchers have uncovered how sorbitol interacts with gibberellin signaling to transition growth from a rapid juvenile phase to a slower adult pattern. This discovery provides essential insights into the mechanisms controlling plant maturation and development.

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A recent study in Ficus hispida genomics has unlocked the genetic mechanisms driving this fig tree’s unique reproductive system. The fully sequenced genome, a first of its kind for Ficus, reveals critical insights into how sex is determined in these plants—a factor crucial to their survival and ecological role. This research is a milestone for advancing the understanding of dioecy in plants and could open new doors for plant breeding and ecosystem management.

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A significant study has mapped the genetic complexity of Populus cathayana, an ecologically and economically valuable poplar species. By creating a detailed genome assembly and analyzing genetic variation across diverse wild populations, the research sheds light on the species' evolution and adaptation capabilities, particularly in high-altitude environments. This genetic insight is key for conservation strategies and developing resilient tree species for future forest sustainability.