LND topic: plant-physiology page 1

plant physiology

Why some grassland plants use different chemical tricks to survive

May 10, 2026

In the wide grasslands of northern China, two types of plants often compete for space: tough perennial grasses and colorful flowering forbs. Scientists have long noticed that these plants don’t just look different—they also affect the soil and nutrients in contrasting ways. Leaves from grasses and f

science

Leaves That Leak: How Plants Manage Water When Stomata Shut

April 18, 2026

Plants close their tiny pores, called stomata, to keep water from escaping during dry spells. Even then, a small amount of moisture still drips out – this is called minimum conductance or gmin. Scientists measured gmin in 101 different plant species, ranging from ferns to flowering trees, and found

science

Summer Heat and Plant Growth: The Solstice Connection

June 3, 2025

The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, might be more than just a fun fact. It could be a key player in how plants grow. Lots of research has hinted that this day might be a big signal for plants. It could kickstart major changes in how they function. But why? That's the big question. Scie

science

How a Desert Plant Survives Drought

May 19, 2025

Artemisia sphaerocephala is a key player in stopping deserts from spreading. This plant is tough and can handle dry conditions. To figure out how it does this, researchers used advanced sequencing methods. They looked at the plant's genes and how they change when it's really dry. This helps find out

science

Pistachio's Secret Weapon Against Drought

May 3, 2025

Pistachio trees, known for their tasty nuts, face a big challenge: drought. These trees struggle with dry conditions, which can hurt their growth and the quality of their nuts. To tackle this issue, researchers have been looking into ways to make pistachio trees more resilient. They focused on a

science

Rediscovering Bose: A Science Legend Unfairly Attacked

November 20, 2024

In the world of science, sometimes truth takes a backseat to prejudice. Such was the case with Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose, a brilliant scientist from Bengal. Recently, an article in this volume challenged a piece I wrote about Bose. While Kingsland and Taiz (2024) raised questions, the facts remain cl