Analysis by University of Adelaide researchers has found that claims about sustainability are increasing in agricultural genomics research, but the term is often not well-defined, leading to potential concerns about the impact and credibility of the research.
Researchers have identified a novel gene in a poplar tree subspecies that enhances photosynthesis and can boost the height of trees by about 30% in the field and as much as 200% in a greenhouse.
Professor Lise Korsten, an eminent scholar in Plant Pathology at the University of Pretoria (UP) and CoDirector of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), National Research Foundation (NRF), Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Food Security, has been conferred a distinguished honorary doctorate by Belgium鈥檚 Ghent University, in recognition of her transformative contributions to resilience in food security and safety.
A recent study reveals how tea plants defend themselves against herbivores by activating specific genes. Researchers identified two leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), CsLRR-RLK44 and CsLRR-RLK239, which play a pivotal role in triggering defense responses. These genes enhance resistance by activating signaling pathways involving jasmonates, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs), and WRKY transcription factors. The findings not only deepen our understanding of plant-herbivore interactions but also offer potential strategies to improve crop resilience in woody plants, which have been understudied compared to grasses. This discovery could lead to sustainable pest control methods, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
A new study explores the genetic mechanisms behind root development and salt tolerance in Bok choy, a widely grown vegetable known for its shallow roots. Researchers identified a key regulatory module involving BcWRKY33A, BcLRP1, and BcCOW1 that promotes root elongation and stabilizes root hair development under salt stress. The findings reveal how plants adapt to salinity by enhancing root system performance, which could inform strategies for developing more resilient crops in challenging environmental conditions.
A recent study reveals how grapevine cells adapt to sugar starvation by reprogramming their DNA methylation and gene expression. Under carbon-deficient conditions, these cells undergo significant metabolic shifts, slowing growth while activating survival mechanisms like autophagy and photosynthesis. The research highlights the critical role of epigenetic changes, particularly increased DNA methylation at transposable elements, in helping cells cope with energy stress. These findings deepen our understanding of plant resilience and could inform strategies to improve crop tolerance to environmental stresses, such as drought or nutrient scarcity.
Hybridizing tropical and hardy water lilies holds great potential for creating new varieties with both cold tolerance and vibrant colors. However, prefertilization barriers between different subgenera have severely limited breeding success. A new study uncovers that the NpCIPK6鈥揘pSnRK1鈥揘pNCED2 molecular module in water lily stigmas interferes with abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation that blocks incompatible pollen germination. By elucidating this cellular signaling pathway, the research provides crucial insights into overcoming reproductive barriers in water lilies and offers a conceptual framework that could enhance breeding efficiency and expand the genetic diversity of ornamental aquatic plants.
Researchers have uncovered how the gene ClGDPD1 strengthens Eureka lemon's defense against citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV). By facilitating the accumulation of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), ClGDPD1 triggers systemic immune responses that significantly reduce viral load and disease symptoms.
Researchers have identified a critical amino acid transporter, SlAAP6, that enhances tomato growth and salt tolerance by mediating the uptake and distribution of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Overexpressing SlAAP6 elevated BCAA levels, boosted plant biomass, and improved stress resistance, while knockout mutants exhibited stunted growth and heightened salt sensitivity.
Early fruit ripening is a valuable trait for grape cultivation, but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms have remained elusive. A new study uncovers how CHH site hypermethylation influences the early ripening phenotype of 'Fengzao', a bud mutant of the popular 'Kyoho' grape. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, researchers demonstrated that higher promoter methylation, particularly at the JOX1 gene, plays a critical role in accelerating ripening. These findings offer fresh insights into the epigenetic regulation of berry development and could inform strategies to control fruit ripening in viticulture.
Fruit firmness plays a critical role in apple quality, influencing both shelf life and consumer preference. Scientists have now identified a natural genetic variation in the MdNAC5 gene that governs differences in apple firmness and ripening speed. By resequencing hundreds of apple hybrids, researchers mapped a key genetic locus and pinpointed a single A-to-T mutation that affects fruit texture. Functional experiments showed that different MdNAC5 variants distinctly regulate ethylene biosynthesis, a central pathway in fruit softening. This discovery offers new insights into the genetic control of apple ripening and opens up potential strategies for breeding apples with optimized firmness and storage properties.
Climate change is threatening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across South Asia. In this context, a new study conducted across transboundary regions of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh uncovers the critical factors that influence their ability to adapt. The study reveals that adaptive capacity (AC) depends on a combination of land access, financial resources, and community networks, and knowledge of climate-resilient agricultural practices. The findings show that, while each country faces unique challenges, shared barriers such as unreliable weather information, limited infrastructure, and financial constraints are holding back smallholder farmers. These insights provide a crucial foundation for shaping targeted adaptation policies and improving resilience in vulnerable farming communities.
A thorough understanding of insect physiology and ecology can influence sustainable farming practices throughout Africa in the future. This idea formed the basis of the recent inaugural lecture delivered by Professor Christopher Weldon, an entomologist in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP).
A new study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign asks a deceptively simple question: what is the best way to feed artificially reared pigs? The answer has implications not just for agriculture, but for biomedical research where pigs are used to study different aspects of human medicine.
A new thermal treatment technique being developed by researchers at the University of Miami College of Engineering could help destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil, leading to the potential demise of 鈥渇orever chemicals.鈥�
World Health Day is commemorated annually on 7 April under the sponsorship of the World Health Organisation and other related organisations. As the global conversation around sustainable farming and healthier food options grows louder, Moringa oleifera 鈥� a fast-growing, nutrient-rich tree native to tropical and subtropical regions in India and Africa 鈥� is emerging as a promising solution that could help address both these critical issues.
Scientists have identified a key gene that regulates sugar metabolism and dramatically improves tomato fruit quality and resilience after harvest. The gene, known as SlVI, encodes a vacuolar invertase that plays a critical role in converting sucrose into glucose and fructose during fruit ripening. By knocking out SlVI, researchers achieved higher fruit sucrose levels, enhanced firmness, increased resistance to fungal infections, and an extended shelf life. These findings not only reveal new insights into sugar's dual role as both an energy source and signaling molecule but also open avenues for developing tastier and more durable fruits, addressing critical challenges in agriculture and food storage.
Thousands of hectares of Chornobyl-affected farmland, long deemed too dangerous for cultivation in northern Ukraine can safely return to production, according to new research.
Some plants produce oils with properties that are particularly good for biofuels, but not all of these plants are suitable for being grown on a large scale. To solve this dilemma, scientists modified the seeds of camelina and pennycress to produce the same type of oil made by the burning bush plant. The result is plants that produce nearly pure, high-quality oil with improved biofuel properties.
New UF blackberry varieties could provide a boon for farmers looking to rebound after the decline of Florida citrus and who see an opportunity to meet the growing demand for blackberries, which have soared in popularity in recent years.
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