‘Water balloons’ uncovered The leaves of quinoa and ice plants are covered with fine hairs. Long was believed that these hairs help plants coping during water shortage and salt stress. But now Danish researchers show in Current Biology that this is not true: they protect against herbivory insects. Quinoa and ice plants are salt tolerantContinue reading “‘Water balloons’ uncovered”
Category Archives: Plant defence
Closing the backdoor
Closing the backdoor Fusarium is a major threat to agriculture. With resistance giving only temporary relieve. Now Dutch researchers report in Plant Biotechnology Journal that they have found a way for plants to lose susceptibility. The soil fungus Fusarium infects lots of crops, like tomato, cucumber, and banana. Frustratingly, once infected there is nothing aContinue reading “Closing the backdoor”
Double defence
Double defence The parasitic plant Striga, or witchweed, is a disaster for lots of sub-Sahara African farmers. Striga does what any parasite does, it taps water and nutrients from its host. Something that in agriculture result in big losses. Sometimes the whole harvest is lost. Now Kenyan researchers together with researchers from the USA, GermanyContinue reading “Double defence”
Alternative on ants
Alternative on ants Plants do all they can do to prevent getting eaten. In this regard do the tropical tococa bush and ants work together. Tococa gives the ants a home and as thanks the ants keep the plant free of herbivorous insects and pathogens. But even without an ant colony are the tococa plantsContinue reading “Alternative on ants”
Plant en Zo 