Plant Cuttings

Category: plant cutting

  • Plants suffer from viruses too… [From algae to rice plants… III]

    Plants suffer from viruses too… [From algae to rice plants… III]

    The post considers virus disease of plants and highlights research by Yu Huang et al. (2025) that reveals how rice detects and responds to viral infection. Such work is crucial for enhancing crop resilience and ensuring food security for the global human population.

  • Predictable red tides? [From algae to rice plants… II]

    Predictable red tides? [From algae to rice plants… II]

    This post discusses dinoflagellates and red tides. In particular it considers Karenia brevis and work by Shen Jean Lim et al., who have identified viruses in K. brevis harmful algal bloom (HABs). This discovery suggests potential viral control methods for mitigating such red tides and improving early warning of them.

  • The phytoplanktonic paradox [From algae to rice plants… I]

    The phytoplanktonic paradox [From algae to rice plants… I]

    Research by Muratore et al. reveals that different phytoplankton species exploit phosphorus at varied times, suggesting ‘temporal niche partitioning’ as a potential solution to the phytoplankton paradox and underlining the intricate dynamics of marine ecosystems.

  • Shedding light on marine algae…

    Shedding light on marine algae…

    Dakota McCoy et al. (2024) demonstrate how heart cockles (Corculum cardissa) utilize specialized windows in their shells to focus sunlight onto symbiotic dinoflagellates for photosynthesis. The windows transmit 11–62% of photosynthetically-active radiation while filtering harmful UV rays, suggesting an adaptive advantage for both the molluscs and their symbionts.

  • When is a lichen not a lichen?

    When is a lichen not a lichen?

    Chen et al. (2025) introduce a groundbreaking cyanobacterium-fungus symbiosis termed phyllosymbium, challenging traditional lichen concepts. In this unique association, the cyanobacterium envelops the fungus, displaying an unexpected structure. This discovery raises important questions about mutual benefits and interactions, broadening our understanding of symbiotic relationships in nature.

  • The roles of sharp structures in plant survival strategies

    The roles of sharp structures in plant survival strategies

    The post explores the defensive roles of thorns, spines, and prickles in plants. It discusses research showing that thorns can deter herbivores, their potential aposematic coloration, and the hypothesis that they may inject pathogens into herbivores, thus adding a biological warfare aspect to their defense mechanisms.

  • Gene-editing, taking the ouch out of touch

    Gene-editing, taking the ouch out of touch

    The post provides background on plant defenses against herbivores, focusing on prickles, thorns, and spines. It then looks in detail at work by Satterlee et al. who used CRISPR-Cas9 techniques to create prickle-free variants of aubergine and other Solanum species, potentially transforming agricultural practices and enhancing food safety during harvesting…

  • Plants, biting the hand that weeds them…

    Plants, biting the hand that weeds them…

    By way of preamble the post discusses the multiple uses of plant fibres, especially in relation to paper in books and newspapers, and longevity of the printed word. The post then discusses research into what types of paper cause paper cuts, and how the results led to creation of the…

  • The seed-spreading power of water

    The seed-spreading power of water

    After providing some background on water’s unusual properties, this post considers some of the roles of water in plant biology. In particular, it looks at the work of Finn Box et al. on seed dispersal by the squirting cucumber.

  • How unique are scientific names?

    How unique are scientific names?

    This post explores the uniqueness of scientific names, highlighting their limitations. Governed by various codes of nomenclature, these names can overlap across different groups of organisms, leading to such phenomena as hemihomony. The post also discusses tautonyms, which are not allowed in plant nomenclature, reflecting the complexities and idiosyncracies in…