Tag: roots
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New Study in “Nature Water” Spotlights Importance of Groundwater Monitoring
Groundwater is a critical resource around the globe, especially in dry regions, but it’s importance in sustaining ecosystems remains largely unstudied. There are many challenges in managing this precious resource for multiple purposes, including water supply and healthy ecosystems. New research has used satellite imagery and groundwater monitoring data to investigate the links between groundwater…
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Divining roots—revealing how plants branch out to access water
Arabidopsis thaliana root growing on soil preferentially branching towards moist soil. Credit: Daniel von Wangenheim New research has discovered how plant roots sense the availability of moisture in soil and then adapt their shape to optimise acquisition of water. The discovery could enable crops to be bred which are more adaptive to changes in climate…
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Building Roots for a More Water Secure California
Photo: NRCS Scientists Holding Up Two Soil Samples. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service The recently released National Climate Assessment discussed the impacts of climate change on our nation’s water supply and agricultural productivity. The levels of uncertainty regarding the future of our water supply are troubling. Changes in precipitation patterns will intensify…
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No-till farming can help save water, proponents say
Photo: No-till equipment at Garth Mulkey’s farm, originally designed to plant pumpkin seeds. The spiked wheels in the front push crop residue out of the way for the seed wheel to come behind it. The seed is then covered by the next spiked wheel. With dry weather at hand, no-till crops can absorb and retain…
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Plant roots go to extreme lengths to find water
Understanding how plants will survive and adapt to climate change is crucial as they provide oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. A new study from Rutgers University-New Brunswick set to find how resilient plants are by looking at the roots and how deep they travel to find water. The research revealed that some trees will…
