Agriculture and forestry

Bioprocess developed for plant hormone

Scientists at Bielefeld University have succeeded for the first time in enzymatically producing 12-oxophytodienoic acid (12-OPDA), a central precursor of the plant hormone jasmonic acid. The jasmonates are derived from the acidity, by means of which plants react to injuries, warn each other of pests or also control fruit ripening: "For example, jasmonic acid can trigger the release of toxic substances such as nicotine in the leaves, which harm the attackers", explains biologist Karl-Josef Dietz.

On the trail of the wheat of the future

Of all grains, wheat provides the world's highest yield after corn. With 730 million tonnes in the 2018/19 crop year, it makes a significant contribution to securing the world's food supply. But climatic changes and extreme weather events in particular are a growing threat to harvests. Areas under cultivation are also dwindling due to soil degradation and sealing. Pest infestation is making life even more difficult for plants.

Plant protection with microgels

The use of pesticides in agriculture has long been controversial because they are both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they protect plants from pests and diseases, but on the other hand they are proven to harm the environment: soils are poisoned and biodiversity is decimated. As a result of climate change, plants are becoming even more susceptible to pests, driving up the use of pesticides. But it is also a fact that crop protection products are in some cases indispensable to ensure that the world's population can continue to be fed in the future.

The smut whisperer

Plant parasites have always been a plague for farmers. One of the most dangerous parasites are smuts, which preferentially infest food crops such as grain or corn. They attack the inside of plant cells and block the plant's defenses. However, they are very selective when it comes to choosing a host plant and are therefore difficult to control. Jan Schirawski, a geneticist from Jena, has specialized in the genome of smut.

Bioeconomy project nominated for EU prize

The countdown has started: On July 9th the winners of the REGIOSTARS Awards will be announced by the European Commission. The prize is awarded annually as part of a competition to innovative EU regional funding projects. This year's nominees include the INTERREG V A-project "Bioeconomy-Green Chemistry" of the Ems-Dollart-Region (EDR). The team is competing with more than 50 applicants in the category "Circular economy for a green Europe" for the victory. The prize is awarded in a total of five categories.

Forests of the future: Small trees at an advantage

Beech, oak, spruce and pine: Drought and pest infestation have significantly decimated the tree population in our forests over the past 35 years, as the forest condition report in April showed. An international study, in which researchers from the Technical University of Munich were also involved, now summarizes how old forests stand worldwide. Together with scientists from the USA, Great Britain, Panama, Austria and Switzerland, a team led by Rupert Seidl explored the question of how global change could change forests in the future.

Health passport for plants

Attentive buyers of plants may have noticed them in recent months, the small labels that have been available since December 2019: As a plant health passport they are intended to prevent the spread of dangerous pests within the European Union and enable the traceability of indoor, garden and balcony plants, plant parts and seeds. This passport is mandatory for certain species.

Making apple trees fit for climate change

If you have a fruit tree in your garden, you know the experience: First one enjoys the full blossom, but then a late frost hits the tree and in summer there are no fruits. This is also what researchers at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) are concerned with, including Henryk Flachowsky, Head of Fruit Breeding Research: "In many regions of Germany we are currently observing that apple trees are ending their winter rest and blossoming up to two weeks earlier as a result of global warming." A late night f

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