Month: November 2018

From elongated oblongs to near-perfect spheres, vegetables come in almost every size and shape. But what differentiates a fingerling potato from a russet or a Roma tomato from a beefsteak? Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have recently found the genetic mechanism that controls the shape of our favorite… Continue reading Researchers discover genes that give vegetables their shape

We may not be able to see them, but plant leaves are riddled with tiny pores that open to bring in carbon dioxide, the gas converted into sugars through the process of photosynthesis. The pores, known as stomata, are dynamic, opening and closing in response to internal and external cues. “I always give the example… Continue reading University of Illinois study identifies key drivers of corn photosynthesis

Ghanaian scientists have completed field trials on the pest-resistant Bt cowpea and will soon apply for commercial release of the country’s first genetically modified (GM) crop. The GM crop is expected to help farmers dramatically reduce their use of pesticides, while also enjoying better yields of this important staple food. Scientists said the trial results… Continue reading Ghana prepares to commercialize its first GMO crop

Epigenetic changes can bring about new traits without altering the sequence of genes. This may allow plants to respond quicker to changes in their environment. Plant biologists at the University of Zurich have now demonstrated that epigenetic variation is also subject to selection and can be inherited. This could expand the possibilities for crop breeding.… Continue reading Exploiting epigenetic variation for plant breeding

The federal government has come out in favour of gene editing. Or, more accurately, the Government of Canada believes gene edited crops can help farmers produce “safe and affordable food, feed, fibres, and energy in the 21st century.” The quote comes from a statement released in early November and was delivered during a World Trade… Continue reading Canada joins support for gene editing

A new study used rice seedlings to demonstrate that the stress of hotter temperatures may trigger a response in a plant’s RNA to manage the change in its environment. Credit: Peter Nguyen The stress of hotter temperatures may trigger a response in a plant’s RNA, or ribonucleic acid—part of a cell’s genetic messaging system—to help… Continue reading Hot temperatures can trigger an RNA response in plants

Diverse communities of plants and animals typically perform better than monocultures. However, the mechanisms that are responsible for this have so far been a mystery to science. Biologists at the University of Zurich have now been able to identify the genetic cause of these effects. Their findings might help to improve crop yield. Small genetic… Continue reading Small genetic differences turn plants into better teams

Discovery of a gene that helps plants control their response to disease could aid efforts to develop crops that are resistant to infection, research suggests. The findings could lead to ways to fine-tune the gene’s activity to boost disease resistance, pointing towards more resilient crop breeds or new treatments for infections. It could help curb… Continue reading Gene find could pave way for disease-resistant crops

Mike Gore, Ph.D. ’09, plant geneticist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, explains corn breeding at Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, New York, in August. – Lindsay France/Cornell Brand Communications Mike Gore, Ph.D. ’09, hears the clock ticking. And while it’s not an alarm clock, it’s part of what gets him going every… Continue reading Plant breeder taps latest technology to feed the world

Recently, a report from an inspection team of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China reveals 2.6% medium and serious contaminated soil, 11% slight contaminated soil, 2.9% medium and serious contaminated cultivated land, with contamination still spreading in some regions. The baseline, distribution and area of contaminated cultivated land are not known,… Continue reading Heavy metal contamination in China’s cropland called increasingly serious