All Soil & Plant Science articles – Page 5
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NewsNutrient storage and release in uninfected cells of soybean nodules support symbiotic nitrogen fixation in infected cells
A new study employed the symplastic movement tracer carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) to observe and model the transport and storage status of nutrients within nodules.
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NewsScientists show how to grow more nutritious rice that uses less fertilizer
Scientists have shown that nanoscale applications of selenium can decrease the amount of fertilizer necessary for rice cultivation while sustaining yields, boosting nutrition, enhancing the soil’s microbial diversity and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
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NewsTea plant defense: new insights into anthracnose resistance mechanisms
In a recent study, researchers identified key genetic factors that enhance tea plant resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the pathogen responsible for anthracnose, a devastating disease in tea cultivation.
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NewsThe role of the microbiome in the successful transplantation of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows
A study of seagrass restoration shows that transplantation method directly influences the root microbiome, which is essential for the survival of the plants - paving the way for more effective and sustainable restoration techniques.
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NewsNew study shows biochar’s electrical properties can influence rice field methane emissions
A team of scientists has discovered that the ability of biochar to conduct electricity can significantly affect methane emissions from rice paddies, one of the largest sources of agricultural greenhouse gases worldwide.
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NewsBiochar boosts black soil health and crop yields, study finds
A long-term field study conducted in Northeast China’s fertile black soil region has demonstrated that biochar can significantly improve soil health, stabilize microbial communities, and increase crop yields—but only when applied at the right rate.
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NewsNew review unveils breakthroughs in soil nitrogen cycle research from microbial pathways to global sustainability
A comprehensive review highlights significant advances in understanding the soil nitrogen cycle, emphasizing the critical role of microbial processes and innovative technologies in achieving global nitrogen sustainability.
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NewsResearch reveals tropical rainforest soils may fuel climate change as the Earth warms
A new study suggests the Earth’s own tropical soils may contribute to climate change as global warming continues, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as they warm and potentially accelerating a dangerous feedback loop.
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NewsWarming temps alone fail to trigger increased CO2 levels from soil
A study examining the effects of higher temperatures on soil shows that warming alone does not increase levels of carbon dioxide emitted from the soil. Instead, higher temperatures combined with more added carbon led to higher carbon dioxide levels released from the soil.
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NewsScientists probe how microbial communities and environmental factors impact cotton development
Soil microbial communities play a vital role in plant health, influencing root development, disease resistance, nutrient and soil water uptake and more.Scientists are investigating how these microbial communities impact cotton development and overall yield across diverse climates, agricultural practices and environmental stressors.
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NewsMethod probing dark matter uncovers hundreds of new bacteria, and two potential antibiotics
A new approach to exploring untapped soil resources circumvents the need to grow bacteria in the lab by extracting very large DNA fragments directly from soil to piece together the genomes of previously hidden microbes, and then mines resulting genomes for bioactive molecules.
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NewsIt’s not hopeless: Scientists want to learn lessons from climate change communication to save our soil
Soil scientists have urged us all to play our part in protecting our soil and to heed the lessons learnt from those who have been championing actions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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NewsJames Hutton Limited awarded almost £39,000 to develop innovation campus
James Hutton Limited, the commercial wing of The James Hutton Institute, has been awarded £38,881 from the Scottish Government to progress a clima-tech and agri-tech innovation campus at its Invergowrie site.
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NewsSwitch on, switch off: the dynamic defense of a deadly plant disease
Even strains of Phytophthora infestans considered sensitive to mefenoxam can rapidly develop resistance after a single exposure to a low dose. Researchers have uncovered the dynamics of this defense mechanism, revealing a foe that is more adaptable than previously thought.
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NewsScientists probe tool used by harmful bacteria to hijack crops
Researchers have identified a tool that helps the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae turn a plant’s fundamental biology against itself. The findings could eventually lead to new approaches to protecting crops.
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NewsFrom quantum mechanics to quantum microbes: A Yale scientist’s journey of discovery
Faced with a microbial mystery hidden deep in the soil, Nikhil Malvankar returned to his roots - with results that could shape the field of quantum computing.
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NewsNew insight into yam disease defense: how leaf traits and ABA stop anthracnose
A research team has isolated the anthracnose pathogen infecting greater yam and identified it as Colletotrichum alatae—the first report of this species in yam.
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NewsFungi–biochar partnership boosts soil health and crop growth under cadmium stress
A study reports that combining arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with biochar can reshape soil microbiomes, reduce cadmium uptake, and dramatically improve plant growth, offering a sustainable strategy for restoring farmland contaminated with heavy metals.
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NewsGame-changing biotech for engineering pathogen-resistant crops
Researchers have identified an ancient protein that has the potential to help defend plants against tens of thousands of different bacteria and other pathogens. Dubbed “SCORE”, this receptor detects cold-shock protein—variations of which are found in more than 85% of known bacteria, as well as fungi and insects.
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NewsBroccoli seeds can spread resistance to multiple fungicides
Researchers who screened commercial broccoli seeds for Alternaria brassicicola, a fungal pathogen, found that seeds can harbor A. brassicicola and can spread resistance to multiple fungicides. Based on the findings, the researchers developed a faster way for detecting and monitoring fungicide resistance.