Feature Channels: Plants

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To produce biofuels from nonedible plants, researchers can use cellulase to break down plant cellulose into glucose, which can be fermented to generate bioethanol. Researchers have now used a specialized optical microscope to visualize single cellulase enzymes interacting with different forms of cellulose. This allowed them to investigate enzyme function in the presence of the product of the reaction and other components of plant biomass.

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In a pioneering study, researchers have completed the chromosome-level genome assemblies for Musa ornata and Musa velutina, shedding light on the genetic underpinnings of pericarp dehiscence and anthocyanin biosynthesis in bananas.

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A research team has developed a hyperspectral library for 14 NPK nutrient stress conditions in rice, using a terrestrial hyperspectral camera to collect and analyze 420 rice stress images.

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A research team has developed a radiative transfer modeling framework using Helios 3D plant modeling software to simulate RGB, multi-/hyperspectral, thermal, and depth camera images with fully resolved reference labels.

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A new study has revealed a key homeodomain transcription factor, PbHB.G7.2, that plays a crucial role in ethylene biosynthesis during pear fruit ripening. By binding to the promoter of the ethylene biosynthetic gene PbACS1b, PbHB.G7.2 enhances ethylene production, significantly impacting the ripening process.

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A novel study uncovers the regulatory interplay between lignin biosynthesis and tenderness in young tea shoots, offering a promising avenue for improving tea quality and disease resistance.

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In a pioneering study, scientists harnessed machine learning to explore the genetic resilience of Spartina alterniflora, a halophyte thriving in saline environments. The research uncovers intricate salt tolerance mechanisms, offering vital insights for developing cereal crops resistant to saline stress. This advancement is critical for global food security as soil salinity increases.

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A research team has developed the SCAG algorithm for accurate branch detection and angle calculation in soybean plants using LiDAR data.

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Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for the scalable synthesis of withanolides.

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In a pivotal advancement for fruit agriculture, scientists have pinpointed a gene mutation in peach trees that governs the timing of flowering, a trait critical for evading spring frosts.

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A research team has developed an innovative method utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning techniques to accurately identify tassel states in maize hybridization fields before and after manual detasseling.

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In a new study, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Vienna shed light on an unexpected partnership: A marine diatom and a bacterium that can account for a large share of nitrogen fixation in vast regions of the ocean. This symbiosis likely plays a key role for global marine nitrogen fixation and productivity, and thus uptake of carbon dioxide. The newly-discovered bacterial symbiont is closely related to the nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia which live in partnership with many crop plants and may also open up new avenues for engineering nitrogen-fixing plants. The results were published in the current print edition of the renowned journal Nature.

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A research team has established a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system for Chrysanthemum morifolium, targeting the CmPDS gene to explore gene functions and enhance breeding.

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A research team successfully sequenced and assembled the genome of the purple finger lemon variety 'YaoJi', revealing a genome size of 314.63 Mb across nine chromosomes.

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A research team has elucidated the biosynthetic pathways of pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium), identifying key genes responsible for pyrethrin production.

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ST. LOUIS, MO., June 26, 2024 – With the goal of reducing the time and cost it takes to bring an improved crop to the marketplace, research conducted in the laboratory of Keith Slotkin, PhD, and his colleagues in the Plant Transformation Facility at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, was recently published in the scientific journal .

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A pivotal study has shed light on the intricate mechanisms of nonhost resistance (NHR) in plants, a critical defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens. By identifying and characterizing four novel core effectors from the pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola, researchers have unveiled key players in the plant Nicotiana benthamiana's immune response.

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Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the genetic factors influencing tea plant leaf droopiness, a key determinant of mechanical harvest success.

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A cutting-edge study has uncovered the complex hormonal and genetic interactions that dictate the seasonal flowering cycle of Cymbidium sinense, the Chinese orchid. This research sheds light on the enigmatic mechanisms of floral bud dormancy and its subsequent activation, offering new perspectives on the control of flowering times in plants.

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Unlocking the secrets of the Chinese jujube's evolution, a new study presents the most detailed genomic analysis to date. By assembling the haplotype-resolved T2T reference genomes of both wild and cultivated jujube, researchers have unveiled the genetic pathways behind the fruit's transformation.

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Delving into the genetic underpinnings of fruit sweetness, researchers have discovered a novel regulatory mechanism in apples. The study spotlights MdbZIP44, a transcription factor that modulates starch and sugar metabolism in response to nitrogen levels, offering a genetic strategy to enhance fruit quality and potentially revolutionize the horticulture industry.

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A cutting-edge study reveals that inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into acidic soils significantly bolsters soybean growth, particularly in plants with enhanced phosphorus efficiency. This eco-friendly method outperforms traditional phosphorus fertilization, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in nutrient-scarce environments.

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In a breakthrough that could redefine tomato flavor, a study has pinpointed the genetic markers that dictate citric acid (CA) levels — the cornerstone of a tomato's taste and nutritional richness.

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A recent study has discovered that SALT TOLERANCE HOMOLOG2 (CaSTH2), a gene in pepper, acts as a negative regulator of the plant’s defense mechanisms.

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For the first time since its inception in 1963, Cal State Fullerton’s Biology Greenhouse Complex has a rare flower that bloomed this week: the Victoria amazonica water lily, which is the second largest water lily in the world.

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A pivotal study has discovered a genetic synergy between pumpkin and cucumber that fortifies the latter's resilience against salinity. The research illuminates the role of the CmoDREB2A transcription factor from pumpkin, which, when interacted with cucumber's CmoNAC1, forms a regulatory loop that enhances salt tolerance.

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A cutting-edge study has pinpointed the PgbHLH28 gene as a crucial catalyst in the methyl jasmonate-induced (MeJA-induced) saponin biosynthesis in Platycodon grandiflorus.

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A detailed genomic study of broccoli has revealed the genetic foundations for the production of glucosinolates (GSLs), compounds celebrated for their health benefits, including anti-carcinogenic properties. By assembling a high-quality chromosome-level genome, researchers identified key genes involved in GSL biosynthesis.

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A cutting-edge study illuminates the intricate mechanisms of rose plants' resistance to salt stress, a critical issue for global agriculture. The research identifies the phenylpropane pathway, especially flavonoids, as key to this tolerance, offering insights into potential genetic modifications for crops to thrive in saline conditions.

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Research led by the University of Washington used computer models to pinpoint varieties of corn that will be best adapted to produce high yields in future U.S. climates.

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Today, UWF celebrated the planting of a “Moon Tree” seedling that flew around the moon on NASA’s Artemis 1 mission in 2022. UWF was selected from hundreds of organizations that applied to receive a seedling.

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A recent study has unlocked the secrets of amino acid metabolism in tea plants, revealing the pivotal role of nitrogen assimilation in root tissues and the long-distance transport of key amino acids to leaves.

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A pivotal study illuminates the genetic blueprint of Chinese cabbage, focusing on the critical phase of leaf initiation. The research uncovers the molecular choreography of gene expression that directs the development of the plant's characteristic leafy head, offering new insights into the formation of this vital agricultural crop.

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A pivotal study has shed light on the genetic underpinnings of cucumbers' ability to withstand waterlogging. The research identifies a key gene, CsPrx73, which is instrumental in the development of adventitious roots and the neutralization of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), offering a promising avenue for improving crop resilience in waterlogged conditions.

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Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa tend to use very small amounts of fertilizer, limiting their crop productivity. A 2016 intervention in Tanzania increased farmers’ fertilizer use and their crop yields. However, a follow-up study from an international team of researchers found the 2016 effects proved temporary, and farmers have since reverted to baseline low rates of fertilizer use and low crop yields.

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A research team founded that field populations of the thrips Megalurothrips usitatus and Thrips palmi in China have developed high resistance to multiple insecticides, presenting significant control challenges.

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A recent study delves into the genetic makeup of the red raspberry Rubus rosaefolius, offering valuable insights into its evolutionary history and the intricate process of anthocyanin biosynthesis. This research uncovers the genomic basis for the berry's rich coloration and potential health benefits, providing a foundation for future cultivation improvements.

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Researchers have elucidated the pivotal function of the BpNAC90 gene's phosphorylation in birch trees, which is essential for their drought tolerance. This discovery in gene expression regulation presents a significant step towards engineering plants with enhanced resilience to arid conditions, offering a strategic approach to combat the impacts of climate change on vegetation.

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In a breakthrough that could redefine tea crop protection, a new study has shed light on the genetic makeup of the tea grey geometrid, Ectropis grisescens. Through the re-sequencing of 43 genomes, scientists have mapped out the pest's population structure and its remarkable adaptation to tea crops, offering new avenues for managing this agricultural adversary.

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A study explores the ethylene-responsive gene VviERF003's influence on glycosylated monoterpenoid synthesis in grapes, which are pivotal for the fruity and floral notes in wines. Understanding this genetic regulation provides insights into how wine aroma can be influenced, potentially allowing for the development of grapes with enhanced or specific aromatic profiles.

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Something about city life seems to suit powdery mildew, a fungal disease that afflicts many plants, including leaves of garden vegetables and roadside weeds. A new study from biologists at Washington University in St. Louis finds that plants in the city of St. Louis had significantly more mildew than those in the suburbs or countryside.

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Organic farming can support soil microorganisms that promote plant defenses and reduce insect pests. But not all organic practices are equally beneficial for soil microbes, and it’s important to understand farmer motivations in order to encourage the adoption of microbiome-supportive efforts. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Cornell University looks at how organic farmers’ beliefs about the microbiome influence their soil management practices.

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A pivotal study reveals how auxin and sucrose metabolism regulate bulbil initiation in Lilium lancifolium. By manipulating auxin levels and examining key sucrose metabolism genes, researchers found that low auxin concentrations enhance bulbil formation.

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Revealing the genetic secrets of tree peony buds' seasonal revival, a crucial study has illuminated the role of the PsmiR159b-PsMYB65 module in steering the cellular mechanisms that dictate the shift from winter slumber to springtime sprouting, pioneering novel pathways in botanical research and gardening techniques.

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A recent study revealed the complex interplay between diosgenin (DG) and brassinosteroids (BRs) in Dioscorea zingiberensis. By integrating genome-wide methylation, transcriptome, and metabolite data, researchers constructed a regulatory network showing how DG and BRs balance each other. These findings offer new insights into plant secondary metabolism and potential for enhancing DG production for steroid hormone drugs.

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Using tools of modern genetics, plant biochemists have produced a new high-yielding oilseed crop variety — a yellow-seeded variety of Camelina sativa, a close relative of canola, that accumulates 21.4% more oil than ordinary camelina.

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A RIPE team used CRISPR/Cas9 to increase gene expression in rice by changing its upstream regulatory DNA. Their work is the first unbiased gene-editing approach to increase gene expression and downstream photosynthetic activity and was recently published in Science Advances.

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Unlocking the secrets of nature, a pioneering study has pinpointed a gene mutation with profound implications for plant height and stress tolerance. The discovery lies in the CpDWF5 gene, whose alteration leads to a compact squash plant with a unique resistance to salt stress, marking a leap forward in agricultural science.

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In a recent study, scientists have unlocked the secrets behind the diverse flavors of table grapes. By examining 38 different cultivars, the research offers unprecedented insights into the volatile compounds that shape our taste experiences, paving the way for enhanced grape quality and flavor.

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In a major advancement for plant biology and agriculture, researchers have developed a novel method for systemic gene silencing in plants using engineered dsRNA-protein nanoparticles. This technique, which rapidly characterizes gene functions, could revolutionize in planta gene editing.