max facts
Phytoplankton Fertilize Themselves with Iron
Upwelling in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean provides essential
nutrients for the region’s microscopic plants, but iron—a key ingredient
that facilitates nitrogen consumption—is in short supply. To compensate, the
phytoplankton band together to recycle the scarce metal and retain it in their
upper-ocean habitat, scientists have discovered. “For decades, oceanographers
have understood the vital, fertilizing role iron plays in the ocean environment,” says
Patrick Rafter, lead author on a recent study in Nature Communications. “Aquatic plants
will not take up nitrogen in the absence of the metal, which is a limiting factor in their
reproduction and growth.” This understanding is key because these
organisms help regulate global climate by pulling atmospheric carbon
dioxide into the ocean. “When we say iron is recycled in the system more
efficiently than other elements, it doesn’t sound like this big, profound
statement, but it’s actually a very important insight into how the system
works, how marine plant life functions in the ocean,” Rafter says. “This
microbial community has figured out a way to fertilize itself with iron.”
—sciencedaily.com
Vertical Farming Continues Upward Trend
As the global urban population continues to grow and the demand for quality food to
feed everyone rises, the use of vertical farming practices is expected to skyrocket. A
new report published by Acumen Research and Consulting states the global market for
vertical farming could grow and reach a market value of more than $6 billion by 2023.
In 2015, the market had a value of $1 billion. The report says much of the growth can be
attributed to the fact the food for the growing urban population needs to be grown in
cities—and the best way to do that is to use vertical farms. The most popular vertically
grown crops are greens, fruits, flowers, vine crops, strawberry, herbs, and tomatoes.
Leafy greens came in as the largest segment in 2014 in terms of revenue and accounted
for around $273 million that year. This segment is expected to maintain its dominance
through 2023 as leafy greens are the major element in diets from all around the world.
—gpnmag.com
Plants Boost Flower Production Within 24 Hours
of Soil Nutrient Application
The molecular mechanisms that enable plants to quickly adapt their rate
of flower production in response to changing nutrient levels in soil
have been revealed by researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory. A team of plant scientists examined the
processes through which plants are able to pass on information about the external environment from
the roots to the new shoots. The results showed increased soil nutrients leads to a response in
stem cells in the shoots in just less than 24 hours. Experiments showed this rapid response
occurred both in vitro at the microscopic level and ex vitro with entire plants beginning
to increase the rate of stem cell growth and flower development in response to the
application of nitrogen in the form of nitrate. The scientists say the study, published
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could contribute to
improving crop yields by refining timing of fertilizer application and
selective plant breeding.
—pyhs.org/news
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