Scientists Discover the Secret of Plant Geometry

University of Leeds researchers have discovered how plants set the angles of their branches. While the other principle features that govern plant architecture such as the control of the number of branches and positioning around the main shoot are now well understood, scientists have long puzzled over how plants set and maintain the angle of their lateral branches relative to gravity.

The mechanism is fundamental to understanding the shape of the plants around us, explaining how some plants have a broader, spreading form while others are more narrow and compact. Dr. Stefan Kepinski, senior lecturer in the University of Leeds' Faculty of Biological Sciences began work on the mystery during a train commute to Leeds. Looking out of the window, he said that he was "struck by the fact that the way we recognise tree and other plant species from a distance is largely informed by the angle at which their branches grow."

Kepinski said that the angle of growth of branches is an exceptionally important adaptation because it determines the plant's capacity to capture resource above and below ground. Similarly, in the shoot, a plant might gain an advantage from having more steeply pitched branches to avoid shading from neighboring plants. He also said that "These insights are important for breeding and biotechnological approaches to crop improvement because breeders and seed companies want to be able to alter plant architecture to optimise the performance of crops."

For more details on this research, read the news release at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/3423/secret_of_plant_geometry_revealed.