#plantpower
Scientists solve plant sperm puzzle
Chloroplasts are where plant cells perform photosynthesis and wheat, like many other plants, inherits chloroplasts only from the mother through small precursors called plastids.
But how this happened was unknown – why didn’t the male’s chloroplast DNA travel with the rest in sperm?
By tagging plastids in wheat with a protein that glowed green scientists at Rothamsted Research and the University of Manchester could watch them in developing pollen grains. They saw for the first time that plastids are degraded in sperm cells just before fertilisation, meaning only plastids from the mother plant are inherited by the offspring.
In the image above the top line shows the protein attached to the plastids in wheat pollen, in the bottom row it is untargeted.
The finding could be used to help breed better strains of wheat, one of the world’s most important and valuable crops.
Image: Huw Jones, Rothamsted Research
Post link
Plant power
Healthy plants, including crops and trees, are vital for our future. They are fundamental to our food, environment, economy and social wellbeing.
Plant scientists are finding new ways to solve some of our biggest challenges, such as protecting our forests, finding new fuel sources and ensuring that we have enough food for a growing population.
Did you know that ¼ of all medicines contain materials taken from plants?
Post link
How the world’s first plants took a giant leap on to land
About 450M years ago, plants in the sea took a giant leap on to land to become the plants we know and love today. But how did they survive?
Scientists for The John Innes Centre may have found the answer.
Land plants survive by getting water and nutrients from soil.
They do this by forming a special friendship with soil dwelling fungi called mycorrhiza. These strands of fungi reach deep into the spoil and drag the nutrients and water back to the plants.
But when the first algae landed on soil, how did they survive long enough to form these beneficial friendships?
New research suggests that they already had the genes necessary for forming this bond whilst they lived in the sea.
Researchers analyzed DNA and RNA of some of the earliest known land plants and green algae and found evidence that their shared algal ancestors living in the Earth’s waters already possessed the necessary set of genes needed to detect and interact with the beneficial fungi.
The team of scientists believes this capability was pivotal in enabling the alga to survive out of the water and to colonise the earth. By working with the fungi to find sustenance, the alga had an evolutionary advantage and could thrive in a very different and seemingly infertile environment.
This was a watershed moment that kick-started the evolution of life on earth.
Plants vs explosives
Did you know that plants can extract TNT and RDX from soil and water?
These two explosives, which are some of the most widely used in munitions, are classified as highly toxic.
Pollution from explosives can pose a risk to both the environment and public health, so it’s vitally important that cost-effective ways of dealing with it are found.
Research carried out by Professor Neil Bruce at the University of York uses genetic modification to combine the characteristics of certain bacteria, which are able to detoxify different types of explosives, with the larger mass and higher processing ability of plants.
Watch out for more amazing plant science in the weeks to come.
Animal agriculture is one of the most resource-intensive industries on the planet and is currently responsible for 51 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. At our current world population of seven billion, we are already expending 70 percent of the world’s freshwater and 45 percent of arable land resources for the livestock system.
#EatForThePlanet
CIAT/Flickr
#eatfortheplanet #vegan #veganshare #vegansofig #plantbased #plantpower #healthy #eatclean #yum #foodporn #food #veganfoodporn #veganfood #vegancooking #veggieinspired #plantbasedcooking #plantbased #veg #eatgreen #eatclean #veganfoodshare #meatfree #meatless #dairyfree #plantpower #whatveganseat
Post link
Fresh pies and summer go hand in hand, but sometimes it’s just too hot out to bake. If that’s the case, check out this No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie!
Post link
Liberate your tastebuds this #BastilleDay with this Black Bean Burger With Cilantro Lime Sauce by @doradailypics!
Post link
Happy #MeatlessMonday everyone! Check out the recipe for this Broccoli Rabe Potato Pizza With Carrot Miso Sauce and Hazelnuts!
Post link
Yippee! It’s a brand new week, starting today! Hope you’re all having as great of a day as Winnie the rescued kitten #motivationalmonday
#vegan #veganshare #vegansofig #plantbased #plantpower #healthy #eatclean #yum #foodporn #food #veganfoodporn #veganfood #vegancooking #veggieinspired #plantbasedcooking #plantbased #veg #eatgreen #eatclean #veganfoodshare #meatfree #meatless #dairyfree #plantpower #whatveganseat
This one’s for all you plant addicts. I’ve learned I can’t stop you.
*NO REPOSTS/NO BIGOTS*
Win all kinds of goodies from @veganproteins & @officialteamgreen.
1. Repost this image
2. Follow @veganproteins & @officialteamgreen
3. Use #veganproteinsTeamGreen
Contest will run for 10 days approx. And we will pick a winner/winners who follow the 3 contest rules above. U.S. residents only, sorry. (Shipping issues)
#OfficialTeamGreen #PlantShred #vegan #herbivore #plantbased #vegetarian #veggie #veg #animalliberation #veganathlete #nomeatathlete #meatfreeathlete #plantbuilt #plantfit #plantstrong #veganstrong #plantpower #veganlifter #plantbasedathlete #plantbasedmuscle #vegancrossfit #carbthefuckup #xvx #vegansofig #vegansofinstagram #veganproteins #veganbodybuildingandfitness
Post link
Totchos!! Super easy late night food. Just bake some tots then top with whatever beans you’ve got and some pico
First attempt at veggie sushi with carrots, bell pepper, and avocado
Thai red curry with bell peppers and fried tofu
Whenever I make tofu it’s the same basic recipe: half flour, half nutritional yeast. And then whatever seasonings go with the meal. Mix together all the dry ingredients. Press your tofu and cut into cubes. Heat about a quarter inch of oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Toss the tofu into the seasoning until completely coated and then put in the oil immediately so that the coating stays dry. Fry the tofu for about 6 minutes on each side and it should be ready to enjoy
Post link
Falafel, baba ghanoush, and ciabatta! The ghanoush turned out so much better than I thought it would - so creamy
Post link
