Energy News
FARM NEWS
Unraveling the secrets of plant evolution: how 125 million years shaped today's crops
Mutations in the CLV3 gene can dramatically increase fruit size, as seen in tomatoes (top row) and Arabidopsis thaliana (bottom row).
Unraveling the secrets of plant evolution: how 125 million years shaped today's crops
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 11, 2024

Despite advancements in plant genomics since sequencing the first plant genome, creating the ideal crop remains largely unpredictable. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) researchers have now shed light on a key factor contributing to this unpredictability in crop traits, even when identical genetic modifications are applied to different plants.

Led by CSHL Professor and HHMI Investigator Zachary Lippman, the team uncovered that tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana plants can regulate the same gene in vastly different ways due to divergent evolutionary paths spanning over 125 million years. Through genome editing, the researchers generated over 70 mutant strains of both plant types, each lacking segments of regulatory DNA surrounding the gene CLV3, to examine variations in plant growth and development.

The study revealed that excessive mutation of the DNA regulating CLV3 can lead to disproportionate fruit growth. "CLV3's timely activation is crucial for normal plant development," explained Danielle Ciren, the study's lead researcher and a recent graduate of the CSHL School of Biological Sciences. "Overgrowth of fruits, while visually impressive, may not yield the most beneficial crop outcomes, highlighting the delicate balance between growth and yield."

Significant findings from the research showed that mutations near the start of the CLV3 gene in tomatoes and around both ends of the gene in Arabidopsis resulted in dramatic size variations in fruit, suggesting distinct evolutionary adaptations over millions of years. The exact evolutionary changes remain elusive, underscoring the complex nature of genetic regulation across different plant species.

This discovery not only adds a new layer to our understanding of plant evolution but also paves the way for more predictable genome engineering in crops, offering potential benefits for science, agriculture, and food production globally.

Research Report:Extreme restructuring of cis-regulatory regions controlling a deeply conserved plant stem cell regulator

Related Links
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FARM NEWS
Vietnam's 'rice bowl' cracks in monster heatwave
Hanoi (AFP) Feb 28, 2024
Southern Vietnam, including business hub Ho Chi Minh City and its "rice bowl" Mekong Delta region, suffered an unusually long heatwave in February, weather officials said Wednesday. Several areas of the delta are also suffering drought and farmers are struggling to transport their crops due to low water levels in the region's canals. The intense period of heat began on February 9, meteorologists told AFP, with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) - an "abnorma ... read more

FARM NEWS
ICEYE unveils Dwell Fine for enhanced earth observation with SAR imaging

ICEYE launches advanced SAR product for enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness

Planet Labs Enhances Agricultural Data with Daily Global PlanetScope Insights

Enhanced Collaboration on Cloud and Aerosol Research to Address Climate Crisis

FARM NEWS
GPS war: Israel's battle to keep drones flying and enemies baffled

False GPS signal surge makes life hard for pilots

Galileo, now fit for aviation

APG Launches NaviGuard: A New GPS Anomaly Detection App Enhancing Aviation Safety

FARM NEWS
Giant redwoods thriving in the UK: experts

Activists occupy German forest to block Tesla expansion

Nearly 3,000 fires in Brazilian Amazon in February, new record

Major firms still failing to tackle deforestation: report

FARM NEWS
Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

Inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels are finally possible

Watching the enzymes that convert plant fiber into simple sugars

Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields

FARM NEWS
Germany launches major subsidy scheme for greener industry

Dartmouth engineering team discovers new high-performance solar cell material

Advanced material science enhances silicon solar cell efficiency

Harnessing Sunlight from Above: The Rise of Skysun's Solar Solutions

FARM NEWS
Wind-powered Dutch ship sets sail for greener future

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

Danish firm to build huge wind farm off UK

FARM NEWS
Indonesia vastly under-reports methane emissions from coal: report

Biden admin. dedicates $74M to abandoned Kentucky coal mine cleanup

Polluted paradise: Chile town waits for cleanup as coal shuts off

King coal set to lose crown for electricity production: IEA

FARM NEWS
'Shen Yun' slides anti-Beijing message into colourful dance

China's ex-foreign minister Qin Gang resigns as lawmaker

Rare Hong Kong protest sounds alarm on new security law

Exiled Tibetans guard heritage from 'cultural genocide'

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.