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Scientists have taken us a step closer to breeding hardier crops that can better adapt to different environmental conditions and fight off attack from parasites.

Preserving diverse plant life will be crucial to buffer the negative effects of climate change and desertification in in the world's drylands, according to a new landmark study.

Cuttings of 12 azalea cultivars were submerged in 50 C water before propagation, then submerged in a subsequent experiment for 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes. A third experiment evaluated leaf damage caused by hot water submersion or by leaf removal for the effect on root development and leaf count on rooted cuttings of two cultivars. All cultivars were tolerant of submersion long enough to eliminate binucleate Rhizoctonia species from stem and leaf tissue.

Wheat's genetic resistance to Hessian flies has been failing, but a group scientists believe that other plants may soon be able to come to the rescue.

A new study shows genomes of a recently formed plant species to be highly unstable, a phenomenon that may have far-reaching evolutionary consequences.

A study examining the prevalence of the fungus Fusarium in bathroom sink drains suggests that plumbing systems may be a common source of human infections.

Scientists have discovered a new signal that helps invading bacteria communicate but also helps targeted rice plants coordinate defensive attacks on the disease-causing invaders, a finding that could lead to new methods of combating infection not just in plants, but in humans.

In 1766, Frenchwoman Jeanne Baret disguised herself as a man to work as assistant botanist on the first French circumnavigation of the globe. Though Baret helped to collect over 6,000 specimens, she was left without anything in the natural world to commemorate her name. That is now to change as a biologist names his newly discovered species -- a relative of the potato, Solanum baretiae.

A recent study investigating the molecular structure and function of an essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell process, and might ultimately lead to the development of new drugs for a variety of diseases.

The available amount of fossil fuels is limited and their combustion in vehicle motors increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The generation of fuels from biomass as an alternative is on the rise. Scientists have now introduced a new catalytic process that allows the effective conversion of biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels.

On the 15th anniversary of the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park, a quiet but profound rebirth of life and ecosystem health is emerging, scientists conclude in a new report.

Sweet corn research shows that higher yield and profitability are possible with greater plant populations of certain hybrids.

Grain crops that produce less carotene can produce more food, especially in Africa, as they are less affected by parasitic plants. Agricultural researchers studied processes and technologies that could improve the control of the parasitic weed Striga both in the lab and in the field. He discovered that rice plants that produce less carotene than usual are less infected by the Striga parasite.

Due to the difficulty of accessing root tissue in intact live plants, research of these hidden parts has always lagged behind research on the more visible parts of plants. But now: a new technology could revolutionize root research.

The secret to pushing tomato plants to produce more fruit might not lie in an extra dose of Miracle-Gro. Instead, new research suggests that an increase in fruit yield might be achieved by manipulating a molecular timer or so-called "maturation clock" that determines the number of branches that make flowers, called inflorescences.

A new, biodegradable foliar/floral spray that increases plant resistance to both cold damage and cold mortality has been introduced to the commercial market. The spray improved cold tolerance by approximately 2°F to 9°F, depending on the variety of plant and the duration/ intensity of frost or freeze. Use of the non-toxic spray could add the equivalent of approximately 0.25 to almost 1.0 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to the cold hardiness rating of plants.

Festive cookies, served at year-end holiday gatherings, may in the future be made with a larger proportion of whole-grain flour instead of familiar, highly refined white flour.

Researchers determined the effects of raising seedlings with different light spectra such as with blue, red, and blue plus red light-emitting diode lights on seedling quality and yield of red leaf lettuce plants. Photosynthetic pigments, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity of lettuce seedlings treated with different light spectra were also tested. The study determined that raising seedlings under blue light is useful in promoting the growth of lettuce plants after transplanting.

Scientists have discovered a "nourishing gene" which controls the transfer of nutrients from plant to seed -- a significant step which could help increase global food production.

Researchers from 13 countries report clear and statistically significant evidence of a continent-wide warming effect on mountain plant communities in Europe.

A study of chrysanthemum investigated plants' circadian responses to interruptions in light cycles. Plants were exposed to irregular supplemental light breaks during the night; results showed a correlation between circadian-regulated processes and plant growth. Leaves and stems grew faster in plants grown in short days with irregular light breaks during the night compared with plants grown in a climate with a consecutive long light period. The findings could contribute to energy savings in production greenhouses.

Climate change is having a more profound effect on alpine vegetation than at first anticipated, according to a new study. The first ever pan-European study of changing mountain vegetation has found that some alpine meadows could disappear within the next few decades.

Climate change in the form of reduced snowfall in mountains is causing powerful and cascading shifts in mountainous plant and bird communities through the increased ability of elk to stay at high elevations over winter and consume plants, according to a groundbreaking study.

Recent explorations in the evergreen forest of western Ghats resulted in the discovery of a new wild relative of the large cardamom from South India.

A recent analysis suggests that climate change predicted for the United States will boost demand for imported drought- and heat-tolerant landscaping plants from Africa and the Middle East. This greatly increases the risk that a new wave of invasives will overrun native ecosystems in the way kudzu, Oriental bittersweet and purple loosestrife have in the past, members of the international team say.

The growth of multicellular organisms is fueled not only by cell division but also by cell growth. Normally cells enlarge all over the surface. However, in many organisms, there are also specialized cells that grow only at their tip. How the necessary materials are delivered to the growing tip, is largely unknown. A new study now suggests that tip growth is not mediated by targeted trafficking to the growing site of the cell surface but rather depends on a specific recycling pathway.

The upsurge in droughts is one of the main consequences of climate change, and affects crops in particular. However, a biologist has confirmed that in the case of barley at least, climate change itself is providing it with a self-defense mechanisms to tackle a lack of water.

Researchers have discovered the protein that transports sucrose to a plant’s vascular pathways.

Scientists have studied Lake Erie over the past five winters during mid-winter, a time when the lake is more than 70 percent covered by ice. They've documented very high concentrations of algae thriving in the water below the ice -- even in the ice itself.

Location matters for birds on the hunt for caterpillars, according to researchers. Findings suggest that chickadees and others zero in on the type of tree as much as the characteristics of their wriggly prey.

A new study shows a hybrid plant species may experience rapid genome evolution in predictable patterns, meaning evolution repeats itself in populations of independent origin.

Rare finds such as early ornaments, cave drawings and Middle Stone Age engravings are the subjects of a good deal of anthropological study and they provide clues. But in a new study, an international team of researchers report another find that could give additional insight. What's more, it could place the use of herbal medicines much earlier than previously known.

In the two and a half years since scientists discovered how a class of proteins find and bind specific sequences in plant genomes, researchers worldwide have moved fast to use this discovery. Now, the next step has been taken by determining the 3-D structure of a TAL effector bound to DNA.

A study examined how horticultural activities affect stress relief for patients who are mentally challenged. Two experiments conducted at a rehabilitation center and a residential home in South Korea measured heart rate variation and cortisol levels of mentally challenged adults. The researcher concluded that indoor horticultural activities have an effect on the subjects' stress relief. Participation in planting activities resulted in the greatest positive influence on subjects' autonomic nervous system responses.

Over the past 10 years, the death of forest trees due to drought and increased temperatures has been documented on all continents except Antarctica. This can in turn drive global warming by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by trees and by releasing carbon locked up in their wood. New research offers evidence for the physiological mechanism governing tree death in a drought.

Plant breeders introduced a new fancy-leaved caladium characterized by leaves with large, attractive pink blotches. "UF-172" is ideal for use in large containers and landscapes. The variety performed well in container forcing and landscape use, and sprouts earlier than other existing commercial cultivars. The new caladium is projected to be popular with growers, retailers, consumers, and landscapers.

In August 2010, an entomologist at the University of California, Riverside discovered a tiny fairyfly wasp in upstate New York that had never been seen in the United States until then. Nearly exactly a year later, he discovered the wasp in Irvine, Calif., strongly suggesting that the wasp is well established in the country. Called Gonatocerus ater, the 1-millimeter-long wasp was accidentally introduced in North America. It lays its eggs inside the eggs of leafhoppers.

New research shows that a warmer climate will have quite different consequences for plant species in the Arctic. While most species are expected to lose part of their current habitat, the genetic consequences will differ markedly among species. The research results will have major impact on future conservation efforts.

A natural substance obtained from seeds of the "miracle tree" could purify and clarify water inexpensively and sustainably in the developing world, where more than 1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, scientists report.

At least one person admits that the extreme heat in Texas this year was beneficial. But all the same, he'd opt next time for a handmade torture chamber. "Some people will complain about the heat, but from my viewpoint as a breeder, I love stress," said a rose breeder.

When a plant encounters drought, it does its best to cope with this stress by activating a set of protein molecules called receptors. Plant cell biologists have discovered how to rewire this cellular machinery to heighten the plants' stress response -- a finding that can be used to engineer crops to give them a better shot at surviving and displaying increased yield under drought conditions.

When it comes to love songs, female tree frogs are pretty picky. According to a new study, certain female tree frogs may be remarkably attuned to the songs of mates who share the same number of chromosomes as they do. The discovery offers insight into how new frog species may have evolved.

Hot chilies growing wild in dry environments produce substantially fewer seeds than non-pungent plants, but they are better protected against a seed-attacking fungus that is more prevalent in moist regions.

The current status and future prospects for cut rose flower production and post-harvest management in Punjab, Pakistan, were investigated in a research study. The survey of growers indicated that the country's cut rose production has good potential to expand into export markets. Strategies recommended for increasing cut rose production include: promoting and adopting modern techniques, providing training for growers, planting elite cultivars, improving infrastructure, access to interest-free loans, and assistance in product marketing.

A study evaluated attitudes and perceptions of practicing landscape architects in the southeastern United States with regards to the importance of horticultural knowledge. While seasoned practitioners in the residential design market said they had a favorable opinion of their own plant knowledge, they felt that recent graduates in landscape architecture have insufficient knowledge of plants. The authors say the study shows a continued need for both formal and informal extended education classes for the profession.

Adding a charred biomass material called biochar to glacial soils can help reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, according to scientists.

A 125-year debate on how nitrogen-fixing bacteria are able to breach the cell walls of legumes has been settled. Scientists now report that plants themselves allow bacteria in. The fact that legumes themselves call the shots is a great finding but it also shows the complexity of the challenge to try to transfer the process to non-legumes.

A solution to the difficult issue of harvesting algae for use as a biofuel has been developed using microbubble technology.

Scientists have found that the distinctive glossiness of the buttercup flower, which children like to shine under the chin to test whether their friends like butter, is related to its unique anatomical structure.

Every night millions of people go to bed hungry. New genetic technology can help us feed the world by making inedible seeds edible and tasty.

Many developing countries rely on traditional medicine as an accessible and affordable treatment option for human maladies. However, until now, scientific data has not existed to evaluate the potential toxicity of medicinal plant species in Peru. Scientists are now using brine shrimp to determine the toxicity of 341 Northern Peruvian plant species commonly ingested in traditional medicine.

Crops that can cope with sudden fluctuations in the weather could be developed, thanks to fresh discoveries about the survival mechanisms of plants.

A newly described species of a liverwort (very simple, small plants, and probably common ancestors of all land plants) from New Zealand marks a pioneering effort by international plant scientists to enter a "brave new world" in the realm of the electronic age.

Big changes to the code for botanical nomenclature will go into effect on Jan. 1, scientists say. Latin will no longer be the exclusive language for descriptions of new species, and publication in online journals and books will be as valid as print publication.

Scientists are about to make publicly available all the data they have so far on the genetic blueprint of medicinal plants and what beneficial properties are encoded.

Thousands of broken trees line the banks of the Chattooga River. The dead gray stabs were once evergreen monsters offering shade to trout and picturesque views to visitors. These Eastern hemlocks are dying rapidly, and researchers are working to save them.

Greenhouse bedding plant growers can save themselves time, money or possibly both by giving cuttings in propagation more light, according to a new study.

Scientists compared carbon fixation by five plant species under conditions of salinity. Salt tolerance and its relationship with plant CO2 fixation were analyzed. The net photosynthetic rate, gS, and transpiration rate were measured at atmospheric CO2 during the daytime and related to the total chlorophyll, carbon, and mineral contents of the crops. Tomato and watermelon proved to be more efficient in CO2 fixation than the other crops tested.

Honeybee populations have been in serious decline for years, and scientists may have identified one of the factors that cause bee deaths around agricultural fields.

According to a relatively new insight in plant research, there is no single gene strongly controlling growth. Nevertheless, in order to breed new varieties of corn with a higher yield faster than ever before, researchers are relying on a trick: early selection of the most promising parent plants based on their chemical and genetic makeup, as well as on new statistical analysis procedures.