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New Bacterial Species
Named after ARS Scientist
Light Or Fight? Tough
Survival Choices of Plants
A new bacterial genus
species, named
Robinsoniella peoriensis
in honor of Agricultural
Research Service
microbiologist Isadore M.
Robinson, has been detected. It was while
cataloging microbial populations in swine manure that
R. peoriensi was first revealed.
This discovery can help uncover new ways of
diminishing the odors produce by swine manure, one
such approach involving the use of condensed tannins
or other compounds to inhibit hog pit bacteria. This
foul smelling manure emits gases like ammonia and
methane that can be environmentally harmful.
Five strains of R. peoriensis were collected from a hog
farm, and oddly, the strain’s sequence matched that of
an isolate taken from the heel infection of a 79-year-old
Swedish woman.
An international team of scientists
has discovered how plants direct their
energies between out-competing
their neighbors for light versus
investing directly in defense against
hungry insects.
By learning how plants resolve
this dilemma, the possibilities to
increase a crop’s natural defense can
be possible. Studies have shown that plants lessen their
investment in defense when they perceive an increased
risk of competition for light.
Plants have a light sensor that tells them when they are
being crowded; a signal switches on the synthesis of the
plant growth hormone auxin, which helps plants grow taller.
Plants also react to chemical cues caused by caterpillars,
by increasing their production of defense-related hormones.
(Source: www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090305.htm)
sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2009/02/090227161823.htm)
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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - June 2009
(Source: Salk Institute. "Light or Fight? How Plants Make Tough Survival
Choices." ScienceDaily 27 February 2009. 27 February 2009 http://www.
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