Imagine you're a grass trying to survive in harsh conditions. You might think that learning to handle drought would also help you deal with cold winters. Scientists are exploring if this is true or not. They studied different types of grasses and how they adapt to different climates. Some grasses that cope well with drought do okay in cold, but others aren't so lucky...

Scientists have turned to a tiny gene, AtbZIP69, to create tougher wheat plants. By inserting this gene into a specific wheat variety, they’ve made these plants much better at handling low nitrogen and drought conditions. When faced with stress, these genetically altered wheat plants showed increased activity in their antioxidants and adjustments in how they use and ...

Selecting cassava plants that can withstand drought is tough because it depends on many factors. This study tried to find the best way to pick drought-tolerant cassava clones using genomic selection. They used different methods like Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs), Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBVs), and Genomic Estimated Genotypic Values (GETGVs). Th...

Scientists have found a hidden superpower in a type of grass called Thinopyrum. This grass can help wheat plants tough it out against rust diseases, drought, and still keep their yields steady. The key is a special swap between two parts of the grass' DNA. This swap, called a chromosome translocation, is what gives the grass its super strength. The grass, Agropyron ...

You know how rice is often grown on farms? Well, it faces a lot of tough conditions, like drought and too much salt. These problems can really hurt crop production. Scientists have found that a special gene in rice, called OsHKT1;5, can help plants deal with these bad conditions better. When this gene is overexpressed in a plant called Arabidopsis, it gets stronger a...