Botany

Plant inner workings point way to more nutritious crops

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – Almost every calorie that we eat at one time went through the veins of a plant. If a plant’s circulatory system could be rejiggered to make more nutrients available – through bigger seeds or sweeter tomatoes – the world’s farmers could feed more people.

Researchers tackle impact of climate change on plants

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers are undertaking an industrious investigation into the effects of global warming on plants. Making the effort possible is a fully automated “plant hotel” that can analyze up to 6,000 seedlings in a single experiment.

Modeling maps vegetation to monitor erosion, rising seas

By Will Ferguson, College of Arts & Sciences VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University scientists Stephen Henderson and Nikolay Strigul have developed a computer model that uses photographs to recreate the complex geometry of coastal plants.

Study clears way for new approaches to plant disease

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – A Washington State University biologist has found what he calls “very strong support” for an 86-year-old hypothesis about how nutrients move through plants. His two-decade analysis of the phenomenon has resulted in a suite of techniques that can ultimately be used to fight plant diseases and […]

WSU partners to develop new anti-inflammatory drug

By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PULLMAN, Wash. – Work on a new anti-inflammatory drug developed from the medicinal/spice plant turmeric recently received funding from a $225,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH-NCCIH).

Fighting tulip weeds, diseases with cover crops

By Cathy McKenzie, WSU Mount Vernon MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Rotating cover crops in tulip fields shows promise for fighting disease in the economically important flower bulb, according to early research findings at the Washington State University research center in Mount Vernon.

Nov. 20: Advocate promotes agricultural, cultural diversity

By Louisa Winkler, WSU Mount Vernon MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – An expert on the cultural and plant diversity stewarded by farming communities around the world will present the free, public Harvest Seminar at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Washington State University Mount Vernon Research Center, 16650 State Route 536.