"Global Warming Gene" --Plants Evolving in New Climate Epoch

Scientists at the University of Bristol, along with their colleagues in Minnesota and at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, have recently published exciting new research in the journal PNAS, which increases our knowledge about the way in which rising temperatures affect plant growth.
 
Just a small a change in temperature (from 20 C - 28 C) is enough to cause a striking change in plant height. According to Dr Kerry Franklin, who led the Bristol team, “Small elevations in ambient temperature promote the rapid elongation of plant stems, which can have negative impacts on plant stability and crop yields”.

In a previous study, the Franklin lab found that this response is missing in plants that lack the gene PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4).

The new study shows that PIF4 can increase the production of the plant growth hormone auxin and that it is this that leads to the exaggerated height of plants grown at high temperature. The team have further shown that this then leads to the activation of auxin-responsive genes in stems, providing a key mechanistic insight into this important growth response.

Although we are still at the early stages understanding how temperature effects plant growth, this paper offers tantalising prospects by which science may be able to alleviate some of the damaging effects of global warming.

“With global temperatures predicted to continue rising in the near future, understanding how plants respond to small changes in ambient temperature will be fundamental to establishing efficient crop production strategies over coming decades," concluded Franklin.

The Daily Galaxy via University of Bristol

Comments

[mane]

Good work! This study will probably do 100x more good then that dumb deadly virus crazy stuff

[pvc foam board]

The global warming is an serious problem.

[cotton sifter pads]

The flour looks so peace.

[Christian Rioux]

This is total bull.
CO2 levels have been almost 10 times higher in the past, and temperature too. We live in a CO2 poor and cold temprature era

The last 2 millions years have been a succession of Ice Ages, we currently live i na short warmer interglacial period. Sonn Ice age will return.

[smartypants]

I am willing to bet this report was put out (or at least funded and controlled) by the same companys that genetically manipulate and then patent the results in an attempt to secure their rights to their claims.

Also I am not totally convinced that global warming is what it is claimed. I am sure we are not helping with the problem BUT I am sure most of the problem is in the sun heading towards solar maximum in its 22 year cycle. There are also other things that dont help that are never considered. Microwave ovens operate by heating water molecules so consider what all our microwave communication towers all over the world do. I am not saying they are the problem but its a possibility.
Last to add is to thank these people for adding spell check. I would really look like a moron if you seen most of my spelling. hahahaha

[Barry]

Despite what the oil companies say, this is important research.
I know that 20% of the US population thinks we're wasting our time and money. If they're right the worst that can happen is we start using more renewable energy. If they're wrong then we need to know how to fix the problem. I do believe we are conducting an experiment on Earths atmosphere and hoping it will work itself out.

C.R. always says it's BS and mentions higher CO2 levels in the past but forgets the higher sea levels that accompany it. Also what the added heat did to the hurricanes,tornados and other extreme weather.

[cheap hats]

great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.

[chanel handbags]

This is the same for a regular cell phone conversation. Obviously, if you're in Grand Central Station nobody's going to care what you’re doing. Once you sit down in the train, however, it's a different story.