Sugar influences the onset of flowering: Only when light, age and energy conditions are right do plants flower.

Posted on 7 February 2013 by Greg | Comments Off on Sugar influences the onset of flowering: Only when light, age and energy conditions are right do plants flower

Some plants are altruistic, too, new study suggests.

Posted on 1 February 2013 by Greg | Comments Off on Some plants are altruistic, too, new study suggests

Spring may come earlier to North American forests, increasing uptake of carbon dioxide.

Posted on 30 January 2013 by Greg | Comments Off on Spring may come earlier to North American forests, increasing uptake of carbon dioxide

Coffee rust regains foothold : Nature News & Comment.

Posted on 30 January 2013 by Greg | Comments Off on Coffee rust regains foothold : Nature News & Comment

salt-rootJan. 23, 2013 — Until now it has not been clear how salt, a scourge to agriculture, halts the growth of the plant-root system. A team of researchers, led by the Carnegie Institution’s José Dinneny and Lina Duan, found that not all types of roots are equally inhibited. They discovered that an inner layer of tissue in the branching roots that anchor the plant is sensitive to salt and activates a stress hormone, which stops root growth. The study, published in the current issue of The Plant Cell, is a boon for understanding the stress response and for developing salt-resistant crops. [ … continue ]

Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130123133709.htm

Posted on 24 January 2013 by Greg | Comments Off on Breakthrough: How Salt Stops Plant Growth