Delayed Flowering Increases Crop's Growth for up to 50%, Research Finds
January 16, 2013| |
A recent study by the scientists from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences of Aberystwyth University in Wales, United Kingdom revealed that the delay of flowering in the biofuel crop Miscanthus sacchariflorus can result to a 50% growth increase. The research team grew six varieties of M. sacchariflorus, representing a range of latitudes from their origin in Asia. The use of different temperature and light treatments showed that delaying flowering by an average of 61 days resulted in an average growth increase of 52%.
The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, also showed that flowering responses in Miscanthus sacchariflorus resembled those of its close relative, Sorghum, another important energy crop. Research by the same group in Aberystwyth has recently highlighted similarities between the sorghum and Miscanthus genomes, meaning that advances in understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying flowering in one crop will likely promote understanding in its counterpart.
See BBRC's news release at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/industrial-biotechnology/2013/130104-n-delayed-flowering-increase-biofuel-yield.aspx.
| |
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
- Public-Private Partnership to Advance Science and Policy for Global Food and Nutrition Security
- Diamondback Moth Genome Gives New Clues for Sustainable Pest Management
- ABNE Director Cites the Role of Biotechnology to Improve African Farmers' Lives
- A Hungry Nation is an Angry Nation
- Nigeria Releases Improved Cassava Varieties to Boost Productivity
- Agriculture Summit for Africa
- Researchers Reveal Plants' Defense Mechanism Against Insect Attack
- Perennial Biofuel Crops Lessen Nitrogen Emmision, Study Reveals
- Scientists Unravel the Reproduction Process of Multiple Genome Plants
- Researchers Power Up Tomato with Multiple Traits Through A Single Gene
- Pawar: India Shouldn't Stop Biotech Crop Field Trials
- TAAS Foundation Day Lecture Focuses on Ensuring Food Security
- PPI Commits to Share Technology with Mahyco
- EFSA Makes Public All Data on Biotech Corn NK603
- Field Trials Confirm Potential of GM Potatoes for Sustainable Farming in Belgium
- Fighting Insect Pests with Genetic Targeting
- Delayed Flowering Increases Crop's Growth for up to 50%, Research Finds
- Scientists Track Genetic Detail of a Microbe in Biogas Plants
- Giant Tobacco Plants that Stay Young Forever
-
Research Highlights
- Grain and Forage Composition of Stacked Trait Corn Equivalent with Conventional Corn
- Biotech α-Amylase Inhibitor Peas are Not Allergenic in Mice
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Sexual Cycle in Fungi to Increase Penicillin Production
- ARK-Genomics Receives Grant for Livestock Genomic Studies
-
Announcements
- InterDrought-IV Conference
- National Symposium on Biotechnological Approaches for Plant Protection
- Plant Genomics Congress
-
Resources
- FAO Summary Document on GMOs in the Pipeline
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (October 2, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (September 26, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet