A newly discovered pathway in a plant process could help farmers grow more successful crops, particularly in places where harsh, high light stresses plants. The post A new pathway helps clean up toxic chemicals from plant cells appeared first on The Global Plant Council.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers discovered that plant phototropism—growth toward light—is fine-tuned by acetylation-phosphorylation cross-talk in the blue-light receptor phototropin 1 (phot1). Acetylation at key lysines, especially K636, regulates phot1’s phosphorylation and activity, with the deacetylase HDA9 balancing these modifications. Light triggers phosphorylation, reducing HDA9 binding and allowing acetylation to limit over-signaling, forming a feedback loop. This mechanism, conserved in crops like...| The Global Plant Council
Preserving strips of native vegetation beside avocado orchards gives insects a buffet of wild pollen when blossoms are scarce, doubling their plant menu and boosting their resilience. Using cutting-edge eDNA metabarcoding, Curtin scientists revealed how this botanical diversity underpins pollination, a service vital to 75% of crops and our brunch-worthy avocados. Their findings urge farmers to weave natural habitat back into farmland to secure food supplies for a swelling global population. T...| The Global Plant Council
Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study. The next step is to identify which tree species are particularly effective at cooling. The post City trees provide cooling even in extreme heat appeared first on The Global Plant Council.| The Global Plant Council
Mycorrhizal fungi help regulate Earth’s climate and ecosystems by forming underground networks that provide plants with essential nutrients, while drawing carbon deep into soils. Scientists and conservationists have been racing to find ways to protect these underground fungi, but they keep finding dark taxa – species that are known only by their DNA sequences that can’t be linked to named or described species.| The Global Plant Council
In a recent study, researchers have uncovered how Amazon rainforest canopy trees manage the intense sunlight they absorb — revealing resilience to hot and dry conditions in the forest canopy while also offering a way to greatly improve the monitoring of canopy health under increasing extreme conditions. The post New study reveals how forest giants handle light and heat appeared first on The Global Plant Council.| The Global Plant Council
The Global Plant Council is pleased to announce the publication of a new perspective article written by members of its board of directors, published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting these forest types. The post Studies show the significance of old-growth forests for biodiversity appeared first on The Global Plant Council.| The Global Plant Council
Scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and minimize the cost of nitrogen fertilizers. The post Artificial Intelligence and Genetics Can Help Farmers Grow Corn with Less Fertilizer appeared first on The Global Plant Council.| The Global Plant Council
A study predicts that protecting at-risk seagrass meadows could avert climate damages valued in excess of $200 billion by preventing the release of 1.2 billion tons of carbon pollution. This is equivalent to removing the annual carbon footprint of 100 million U.S. homes.| The Global Plant Council
GPC aims to support those involved in plant science research, education & training, to increase awareness of the key role of plants in science & society.| The Global Plant Council
Incidences of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are becoming more frequent, their scale is growing and so are their impacts on food and water security. HABs are being fed by increases in water temperature, dissolved CO2 concentration and nutrient availability in our oceans and freshwater bodies. Algal blooms act as a sink for atmospheric CO2, but they can also harm biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems and food chains in sea-food based economies.| The Global Plant Council
A new study finds that, of the three large-scale, plant-based climate mitigation strategies, reforestation stands out as most beneficial for biodiversity. In addition to reforestation (restoring forests in places where they have historically grown), the team of scientists modeled the impacts of afforestation (adding forests in places like grasslands and savannas) and bioenergy cropping (farming plants such as switchgrass for renewable energy) on more than 14,000 animal species.| The Global Plant Council
Orphan crops, as the name implies, are often ignored. Yet, they have great potential to improve global food security. These underutilised plants, primarily grown in Africa, Asia, and South America, are staples in local diets but receive minimal attention in modern agriculture. Due to limited research and breeding advancements, they remain vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses.| The Global Plant Council
Septoria tritici blotch, caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, threatens wheat production. Researchers and breeders, studied 285 elite French wheat varieties, identifying 57 resistance QTLs and at least 11 known Stb genes. Their findings aid breeding for resistance and support the future meta-analysis.| The Global Plant Council
Pollinators boost both crop yield and quality, yet their species-specific behavior and crop distribution patterns are often overlooked. Researchers stress the need to enhance cross-pollination to improve nutrient content. Optimizing landscape design and plant variety interactions can maximize benefits for both agriculture and consumer health.| The Global Plant Council
Scientists have developed a diagnostic tool to identify quinoa plants resistant to downy mildew, aiding breeders in creating resilient varieties. The tool also ensures quinoa seed shipments are disease-free, preventing outbreaks. As quinoa's popularity rises, the tool offers insights into the pathogen's spread, enhancing management strategies for sustainable production.| The Global Plant Council
Barley plants produce unique antifungal compounds called hordedanes to defend against pathogens. Scientists identified 17 hordedanes that inhibit fungal growth, but a pathogen, Bipolaris sorokiniana, exploits these defenses to thrive. By neutralizing hordedanes, it extends its parasitic phase, showcasing the complex evolutionary battle between plants and pathogens.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers improved the survival and growth of *Serianthes nelsonii*, an endangered tree, by using under-plant mirrors to reflect sunlight. This technique increased light availability by over 70%, boosting seedling survival by 160% and plant height by 170%, offering a low-cost conservation strategy for threatened species.| The Global Plant Council
Oxidation of gases emitted by vegetation fire smoke forms abundant ultrafine particles that may intensify deep clouds and heavy rain in the Amazon rainforest| The Global Plant Council
A new study reveals that mature forests play a crucial role in combating climate change by capturing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than previously thought. Researchers found that older trees increased wood production by nearly 10% when exposed to higher CO2 levels, acting as medium-term carbon stores and natural climate solutions.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers have significantly improved maize transformation efficiency using ternary vectors and morphogenic regulators. This advancement enhances gene-editing research and potential agricultural applications by overcoming a major bottleneck in maize transformation frequency.| The Global Plant Council
Scientists have developed drought and salt-resistant tomato plants by discovering a new stress-response mechanism. By engineering these plants to produce a synthetic molecule that activates this mechanism, they enhance the plants' resilience. This breakthrough could ensure stable tomato production despite adverse climate conditions, supporting global food security.| The Global Plant Council
A recent survey of over 4,500 Americans reveals that increased knowledge about gene editing correlates with greater acceptance of its safety for agricultural and medical applications. The study emphasizes the need for effective science communication to shift public opinion, highlighting a general preference for gene editing over genetic modification.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers discovered forests with cold-air pooling, where colder air settles in valleys, reversing typical temperature patterns. These areas could protect cold-adapted species from climate change, serving as refuges and aiding conservation efforts. The study emphasizes the importance of such forests for species adaptation and carbon storage.| The Global Plant Council
A global shortage of skilled plant breeders threatens food security. With many specialists nearing retirement and fewer graduates entering the field, urgent action is needed to bolster training and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production worldwide.| The Global Plant Council
The SPS-CEPLAS Summer School 2024, united young scientists and researchers to address climate change through plant science. The Global Plant Council led a workshop on science communication for emphasizing the importance of conveying complex research to broader audiences effectively.| The Global Plant Council
Researchers have developed a new resource to better understand sorghum plant cells, enhancing its use as a bioenergy feedstock. By identifying gene expression patterns in sorghum stems, they aim to create more resilient, productive plants. This advancement could lead to improved biofuels and bioproducts, supporting sustainable agriculture.| The Global Plant Council
