Plants respond to environmental stresses by activating a molecular alarm system according to research conducted by Iowa State University.
The study focuses at a molecular level the response the Arabidopsis plant has when under environmental stress. An unfolded protein response signals when the plant senses threatening conditions, and when the alarm signals the plant activates survival responses.
The finding can help understand the stress responses in cash crops such as corn, soybeans and rice, and is especially relevant due to climate change and increasing extreme weather events.
Read more at Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA