Cells, Genes & Molecules
How do plants perceive damage to themselves?
Plants use receptor proteins on the surface of their cells to recognise danger signals from pathogens. A paper recently published by Li, Wang and Mou in
Close Encounters
Plants can prepare soils to give other plants protection against pests
It’s known that microbes in the soil can help plants fight pests. Now research published in New Phytologist shows that plants can be used to create anti-pest microbiomes.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Potato-associated bacteria can act as bodyguards
Bacteria found with potatoes can help protect their hosts against late blight. The aid comes from their volatile emissions.
Close Encounters
How does partnership work for a lichen in the Antarctic?
Lichens are partnerships between algae and fungi. In the Antarctic Lichens offer algae shelter against the cold, but also an uncertain future.
Uncategorized
Plant Records: The plant that coordinates its colours for the occasion
It’s thought that flowers have colours to attract visitors, but it seems that’s not always the case.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Aquaporins and apoplastic barriers in nutrient-limited barley
Aquaporins can change their activity reversibly, if exposed to a change in nutrients.
Uncategorized
Plant records: Most overdue library book?
Name: the ‘En Tibi’ herbarium Scientific name: ‘En tibi perpetuis ridentem floribus hortum‘ [‘Here for you a smiling garden of everlasting flowers’] Known for: not being
Uncategorized
“Plant” Records: The Planet’s Biggest Pollinator
Once again, people underestimate the effect this mammal can have on wildlife.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Is auxin behind adventitious root formation in petunia cuttings?
Yes, but you’ll need nitrogen and somewhere dark.
Uncategorized
Plant Records: The world’s most common group of plants is…
…is ‘rare’ plants. A recent article in Science Advances labelled over a third of species as ‘exceedingly rare’.
Growth & Development
Impact of sodic soils on wheat coleoptile length and root angle
How do plants emerge from the ground in tough sodium-rich soils?
Close Encounters
Woody plants work with microbes to shape the soil they live in
The B-horizon in soil is created through interactions between plants and rhizosphere organisms.