Cells, Genes & Molecules
A step to the biofuels of the future?
Compiling a genome of an Asian grass is already producing useful results for breeding.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The same mobile protein governs seed size and infloresence structure
The mobile protein connected to the regulation of flowering in Arabidopsis also helps regulate endosperm development in the seed.
Plants & People
Your chance to give Botany a voice in a Fine Art project
The project aims to start making inferences about the importance of ecological features in historical art.
Computational Models
Agent Based Models in Plant Science
Agent-based modelling models systems as an interaction between different units, or agents. An example would be something like SimCity. In a review in Annals of
Computational Models
Computing modelling and photosynthesis
One way to improve crop yields is to improve photosynthesis, but how can scientists do this? Alexandrina Stirbet and colleagues review mathematical modelling as a tool
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Scientists find a new chemical to induce plant defences
ssODNs are capable of inducing protection against pathogens through the activation of defence genes and promotion of stomatal closure.
Growth & Development
The strength of a stalk
Stalks carrying fruit may have very different stresses compared to when they carried flowers.
Ecosystems
View from the sky sees new hope for restoring degraded forests
Degraded tropical forests are not lost causes. Restoration could help capture carbon and aid ecosystem recovery.
Ecosystems
A carnivorous plant suffers poisoning from microplastics
Botanists identify microplastics entering traps as reducing the growth of a carnivorous plant.
Close Encounters
Buckleria paludum, the caterpillar that has a taste for danger
Far from being a victim, the caterpillar of Buckleria paludum feeds on carnivorous plants. But how?
Growth & Development
How is wheat grain weight affected by the pericarp that surrounds it?
Better growing conditions increased maximum pericarp weight, while higher temperature negatively affected this trait.
Ecosystems
What were the landscapes of the earliest humans like?
Evidence from a core at Olduvai gorge reveals some of the features of early Homo habilis habitat.