Scientists Explain Why Flowers Bloom Earlier With Climate Change
March 23, 2012| |
Scientists at John Innes Centre have identified the control gene that functions like a switch that speeds up flowering time in response to temperature. According to one of the researchers, Dr. Phil Wigge, temperature alone is able to exert specific and precise control on the activity of the gene (PIF4). With warm air, PIF4 activates the flowering pathway, but with cold air, the gene is unable to act. Flowering occurs when the gene binds to the flowering molecule called florigen.
"Our findings explain at the molecular level what we observe in our gardens as the warmer temperatures of spring arrive," said Wigge. "It also explains why plants are flowering earlier as a result of climate change."
In previous studies, PIF4 has been found to be involved in plant responses to warmth, but this is the first time that it has been found to be involved in flowering. The research team hopes that their findings will help other scientists develop temperature-resilient crops in the future.
Read the original article at http://news.jic.ac.uk/2012/03/pif4/.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- GM Foods In Animals Safe Says International Consortium Study
- FAO Director-General: New Approach in Ending Hunger
- Saving Kenya's Maize Crop
- Minister of Agriculture Launches Vitamin A Cassava in Nigeria
- New and Much Cheaper Genomics Technique Takes Off
- Field Crops Insects Respond to Strange Weather
- U.S. Gov't Reaffirms Support of Agri-biotech
- Quadruple Stacked GM Corn Receives Approval in Argentina
- Biotechnology Plays Key Role in Virus Disease Management, says Philippine Professor
- Pakistan NBC Approves Bt Corn Trial
- Philippine Study: Corn Borer Populations Remain Susceptible to Bt Corn
- Australian OGTR Issues License for Environmental Release of GM Wheat and Barley
- 31st FAO Conference Decisions for Vietnam and the Region
- Malaysian Scientists Develop Superior Red Rice BANGI
- Aberystwyth University and Ceres Complete Full Genetic Map of Miscanthus
- Botanists Use DNA and English in Describing New Plants Species
- Use of Crop Protection Products Improves Carbon Footprint
- Scientists Explain Why Flowers Bloom Earlier With Climate Change
- Artificial Soils From Sewage Sludge and Metallurgical Waste
-
Research Highlights
- How Rice Blast Fungus Achieves Full Virulence
- Overexpression of BB-CBF Enhances Cold Tolerance in Blueberry
- Scientists Map Water Saving Traits in Pearl Millet
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- CSIRO Book Uncovers Nature's Nano-secrets
- Good Genes: Secret to Better Skin
-
Announcements
- World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
- Nominations for Borlaug Global Rust Initiative Gene Stewardship Award
-
Resources
- Conclusions of the EU Council and the Member States on the Strategy towards the Int'l Plant Protection Convention
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet