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Engineering Hardier Plants Under Stress
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified two genes that could help create hardier plants . The proteins regulate whether a cell in the roots form a hair cell , which increases surface area for absorption , or a non-hair cell . Plants that overexpressed one of these proteins , GRP8 , produced more hair cells and thrived even when they were deprived of phosphorus . “ Normally plants respond to phosphorus deprivation by becoming smaller , which means less biomass , less food production , and less seed production ,” says Brian Gregory , senior author on the paper . “ We actually do see increased phosphate uptake as well as increased biomass of these plants ,” says Shawn Foley , the lead author of the work . “ We got larger , hardier plants under phosphate starvation .” The team is now experimenting to see if these findings can extend to crop plants , as growing crops that require less phosphate could lessen the issue of harmful fertilizer runoff .
- phys . org
Orlando Non-profit Launches Garden with $ 30K Grant
Florida Urban Agriculture ( FUA ), an Orlando-based non-profit , recently won a $ 30,000 grant from retailer Seeds of Change to build a 1.25-acre community garden . Located 30 miles west of Orlando in Groveland , the garden will utilize several farming methods in this new garden , including trellised garden beds , aquaponics , hydroponics , and a food forest , as well as beehives , chicken and rabbit pens , and a bat house . It will also be a space to teach area residents how to grow their own food and become more self-sufficient . “ This gives us a home base and allows us to give the food and skills that people need ,” says FUA ’ s Judson Giddens . “ The biggest thing was their dedication to education ,” says Adriana Montano , senior marketing manager for Seeds of Change , of FUA ’ s application . “ One of the things we ’ re most proud of is how gardening gives back to the community ,” she adds . The company handed out $ 310,000 in 24 grants around the country .
- orlandosentinel . com
South Dakota ’ s Northwestern High School Receives Agriculture Grant
Northwestern Area High School in South Dakota received money to continue building its agriculture program thanks to the state ’ s Workforce Education Grant program . After a great first year in FFA , the agriculture program at Northwestern is working to expand into more high-tech ag fields . About half of the $ 150,000 needed to buy the equipment is covered by the Workforce Education Grant , says Noelle Swanson , the district ’ s agriculture teacher . It was one of two grants the district was awarded for the program . One of the things the school is adding is repair and maintenance for overhead valve engines , Swanson says . “ With this grant we ’ ll have brand new , straight-off-the-assembly-line small engines from Briggs & Stratton for kids to work with , as well as all the tools they ’ d see in industry ,” she says . “ They ’ ll also have access to the same online tools that the professionals have .” The school is also working to create a career and technical education technology lab .
- aberdeennews . com
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