Photorespiration protects C3 plants from photooxidation

Article Abstract:

Photorespiration is a defence mechanism against the harmful effects of light, in C3 plants, such as wheat and rice. Some transgenic tobacco plants have enhanced or reduced levels of plastidic glutamine synthetase (GS2), a crucial enzyme in photorespiration. Plants with high GS2 level show lesser decrease in electron transport rate than the normal plants. Photoinhibition in plants expressing higher levels of GS2 is lower than the control and it is severe in plants with reduced GS2. Chlorophyll degradation is also more in plant with low GS2 level. These support the protective role of photorespiration.

Research, Physiological aspects, Plants, Genetically modified plants, Tobacco, Photorespiration

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Plants condemned as pesticides

Article Abstract:

The regulatory policy of the Environmental Protection Agency is criticised for its negative impact on research and development of pest-resistant crop varieties. The agency plans to regulate biotechnology-improved varieties of garden and crop plants labeling them as pesticidal plants. The policy may adversely affect research on the nature of pest-plant interactions, essential for developing alternatives to agricultural chemicals. It may also affect entrepreneurial biotechnology companies and consumers.

Innovations, Laws, regulations and rules, Reports, United States. Environmental Protection Agency, Biotechnology, Phytochemical pesticides, Botanical pesticides

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Plants on the web

Article Abstract:

van der Heijden and colleagues have shown that the floristic diversity of species-rich grasslands in Europe and North America, rely on the occurrence of species-rich fungal symbionts in the soil. They manipulated the composition of fungal populations and looked at the effects on plant species normally found in such grasslands. Their studies were based on field plots and mesocosms.

Observations, Biological diversity, Biodiversity

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