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Newly Discovered Receptors in Plants Help Them Recover from Environmental Changes, Pests, and Plant Wounds, MU Study Shows

By Guest PostJanuary 20, 2014Scienceadenosine triphosphate, atp, cell, energy source, environmental changes, environmental events, extracellular atp signaling, gary stacey, insects, jeongmin choi, kiwamu tanaka, newly discovered, pests, plant wounds, receptors in plants, recover, university of missouri

Discovery could lead to herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides that naturally work with plants to make them stronger

COLUMBIA, Mo. – ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy source inside a cell and is considered to be the high energy molecule that drives all life processes in animals and humans. Outside the cell, membrane receptors that attract ATP drive muscle control, neurotransmission, inflammation and development. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found the same receptor in plants and believe it to be a vital component in the way plants respond to dangers, including pests, environmental changes and plant wounds. This discovery could lead to herbicides, fertilizers and insect repellants that naturally work with plants to make them stronger. (more…)

First Step to Reduce Plant Need for Nitrogen Fertilizer Uncovered in Science Study

By Guest PostOctober 13, 2013Sciencebacteria, beneficial relationship, gary stacey, mechanism, nitrogen fertilizer, pathogen, plant, plant need, rhizobia, soybeans, tomatoes, university of missouri, yan liang

MU scientists say discovery could save farmers billions and protect the environment.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nitrogen fertilizer costs U.S. farmers approximately $8 billion each year, and excess fertilizer can find its way into rivers and streams, damaging the delicate water systems. Now, a discovery by a team of University of Missouri researchers could be the first step toward helping crops use less nitrogen, benefitting both farmers’ bottom lines and the environment. The journal Science published the research this month.

Gary Stacey, an investigator in the MU Bond Life Sciences Center and professor of plant sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, found that crops, such as corn, are “confused” when confronted with an invasive, but beneficial, bacteria known as rhizobia bacteria. When the bacteria interact correctly with a crop, the bacteria receive some food from the plant and, simultaneously, produce nitrogen that most plants need. In his study, Stacey found that many other crops recognize the bacteria, but do not attempt to interact closely with them. (more…)

The Root Impact of Climate Change

By Guest PostSeptember 23, 20101 commentEnvironmentatmospheric changes, christopher s bond, climate change, david koppenaal, dong xu, gary stacey, interdisciplinary plant group, jianlin cheng, ljiljana paša-tolić, melting glaciers, nutrient uptake, plant roots, rising ocean levels, root hair cells, university of missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. — When people discuss climate change, they usually think of impacts above ground, such as atmospheric changes, rising ocean levels, or melting glaciers. Less attention is paid to the effects right under their feet. Now, with the help of a $1.2 million grant from the federal Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy program, University of Missouri researchers are peering underground to see how climate change affects plant roots.

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Tag Archives: gary stacey

Newly Discovered Receptors in Plants Help Them Recover from Environmental Changes, Pests, and Plant Wounds, MU Study Shows

First Step to Reduce Plant Need for Nitrogen Fertilizer Uncovered in Science Study

The Root Impact of Climate Change