Triggering parasitic plant ‘suicide’ to help farmers

Parasitic weeds devastate crops in food-insecure regions by hijacking plant signals. Scientists have found a way to trick these weeds into germinating when no host is present, causing them to die. Using engineered microbes, they’re producing key plant hormones to potentially turn this natural system into a powerful defense.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/triggering-parasitic-plant-suicide-to-help-farmers/ via UCRiverside #PlantScience #Science #Plants #Weeds #Food #foodsecurity

A genomic analysis of fine aroma cocoa from northern Peru revealed genetic divergence and evolutionary patterns within Theobroma cacao.

The study identified 3 distinct genetic groups and estimated divergence times, suggesting that fine aroma cocoa diversified during the Pleistocene. The findings offer insights into cacao's genetic structure and could aid in breeding and conservation efforts.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/mapping-maternal-lineages-of-fine-aroma-cocoa-through-chloroplast-dna/ #PlantScience #Cacao #Agriculture #PlantGenetics #Science

Mixed-species forests outperform monocultures in carbon storage, even in extreme weather

An international study has found that forests with many tree species can store significantly more carbon than those with only one species.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/mixed-species-forests-outperform-monocultures-in-carbon-storage-even-in-extreme-weather/ via @unifreiburg #PlantScience #Forestry #Science

New study highlights ways to future-proof cocoa production

A study reveals that sustainable agricultural practices can future-proof cocoa production. By enhancing pollination and mitigating climate risks, cocoa yields can increase without expanding plantations, supporting millions of farmers and the USD 100 billion chocolate industry while safeguarding biodiversity.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/new-study-highlights-ways-to-future-proof-cocoa-production/ #PlantScience #Science #Agriculture #CLimateChange #Chocolate #Cacao

Take vegetation succession into account when planning solar parks, otherwise problems can grow up

New study reveals that solar parks can enhance #biodiversity through vegetation succession, where diverse plant species evolve over time. The study shows solar parks not only accommodate #energy needs but also support ecosystems, highlighting a need for #sustainable management practices, like grazing, to control plant growth & sustain biodiversity.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/take-vegetation-succession-into-account-when-planning-solar-parks-otherwise-problems-can-grow-up/ #Science #Plants

Grasslands study finds increasing fertilizer use drastically reduces flowers & insects

World’s longest-running ecological experiment, researchers found that increasing fertilizer use in agricultural grasslands reduces flower numbers 5-fold & halves pollinator populations. Reducing fertilizer boosts biodiversity but lowers yields.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/grasslands-study-finds-increasing-fertilizer-use-drastically-reduces-the-number-of-flowers-and-insects/ #PlantScience #Science #Plants #Flowers

Researchers have developed a method to estimate hydrologic traits for 55,000 tree species, improving climate models without requiring massive field data collection.

By analyzing evolutionary relationships, they infer missing data, enhancing Earth system models. This approach accelerates our understanding of plant-water interactions, crucial for predicting climate change impacts.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/plant-power-a-new-method-to-model-how-plants-move-water-globally/ #PlantScience #PlantSci #Science #Plants #Water #ClimateChange

A new study highlights how increasing aridity reduces plant species richness in drylands, with extreme droughts amplifying this effect.

Using a 7-year experiment, researchers found that while rainfall boosts diversity, dominant species can obscure this relationship. These insights improve biodiversity forecasts, crucial for conservation.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/how-reduced-rainfall-threatens-plant-diversity/ via HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research #PlantScience #Biodiversity #Diversity #Science #ClimateChange #Water #Plants

Botanic gardens play a crucial role in conservation, especially with wild-collected plants, which support research & climate adaptation.

#ClimateChange threatens species survival, requiring a global network approach. Genetic #diversity is key for resilience, & ethical plant collection is essential. Collaborative efforts ensure conservation success while maintaining #biodiversity & sustainability.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/botanic-gardens-must-team-up-to-save-wild-plants-from-extinction-say-researchers/

A study finds that, of the 3 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) & bioenergy cropping (farming plants such as switchgrass for renewable energy) on more than 14,000 animal species.

https://globalplantcouncil.org/reforestation-stands-out-among-plant-based-climate-mitigation-strategies-as-most-beneficial-for-wildlife-biodiversity/