How plants sense low oxygen levels to survive flooding
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 13:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Scientists have discovered how plants sense low oxygen levels to survive flooding. The finding could lead eventually to the production of high-yielding, flood-tolerant crops, benefiting farmers, markets and consumers everywhere. The researchers identified a molecular mechanism that controls key plant proteins, causing the proteins to be unstable when oxygen levels are normal, and stable when roots/shoots are flooded and oxygen levels drop.