Plants need nutrients to grow, but what happens when these nutrients come from sewage sludge? Spring barley, a common cereal crop, was studied to see how it absorbs copper and zinc from soil mixed with digested sewage sludge. The focus was on the zone near the plant's roots and how these metals behave there. Copper and zinc are essential for plants, but too much c...

Maize plants have a clever way of dealing with tough times. They use their lateral roots to grab water and nutrients from the soil. These roots branch out, helping the plant stay strong and productive. But how do these roots know when and how to grow? That's where a special protein comes in. This protein, called ZmbZIP89, acts like a boss, telling the roots what to ...

Scientists have been exploring how silicon, a crucial element for plants, can aid oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in surviving drought conditions. They were particularly interested in how silicon influences callose, a substance found in plant roots, and how it alters the cell walls when the going gets tough. They examined the roots using a microscope and observed prote...