PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

How onions recognize when to bulb

2013-12-03
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Emma Timewell
emma.timewell@plantandfood.co.nz
University of Otago
How onions recognize when to bulb New research from New Zealand will help to breed new onions tailored to grow in specific conditions.

Onions, the third largest vegetable crop in the world, form a bulb in response to lengthening days, however the molecular mechanisms controlling this response were not previously known. Research undertaken by Plant & Food Research and the University of Otago has identified the gene controlling bulb development, the first step in discovering genetic markers that can be used as tools to screen conventional breeding programmes for new onion varieties with the right genetic profile.

The research is published in the prestigious online journal Nature Communications with related research published in Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

"This research is an excellent example of how new genome technologies can enable major discoveries that, in the past, have been difficult," says Associate Professor Richard Macknight. "By understanding how these plants control development of the bulb, we can support the breeding of new cultivars that have the right genetic profile to respond to specific growing conditions, ensuring each plant produces a bulb for sale on the market."

"Commercial production of onions relies on cultivars tailored to the environment they are grow in, responding to the right combination of day length and temperature to form a bulb," says John McCallum of Plant & Food Research. "Around 90 million tonnes of onions are produced globally each year, but genetic studies of onions have been limited. Our research is now beginning to link genetics and physiology of onions, allowing industry to tap into more diverse genetic resources and breed products adapted to different and changing environments."

Onion is the second largest vegetable crop in New Zealand, with 586,000 tonnes produced each year and generating $62 million in export revenues.

### END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Beetles that live with ants: A remarkably large and colorful new species from Guyane

2013-12-03
Beetles that live with ants: A remarkably large and colorful new species from Guyane Scientists from the Smithsonian Institution describe the Spectacular Guyane False-form beetle, or Guyanemorpha spectabilis, from Guyane (French Guiana). As its name suggests, the newly discovered ...

First real-time flu forecast successful

2013-12-03
First real-time flu forecast successful Researchers take a page from weather forecasting to predict seasonal influenza outbreaks in 108 cities across the country Scientists were able to reliably predict the timing of the 2012-2013 ...

Scientists discover new survival mechanism for stressed mitochondria

2013-12-03
Scientists discover new survival mechanism for stressed mitochondria Findings shed light on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer LA JOLLA, CA—December 3, 2013—Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered a natural mechanism that cells use to ...

New evidence suggests Neanderthals organized their living spaces

2013-12-03
New evidence suggests Neanderthals organized their living spaces Behavior indicates yet another similarity with modern humans DENVER (Dec. 3, 2013) – Scientists have found that Neanderthals organized their living spaces in ways that would be familiar ...

KAIST developed the biotemplated design of piezoelectric energy harvesting device

2013-12-03
KAIST developed the biotemplated design of piezoelectric energy harvesting device A research team led by Professor Keon Jae Lee and Professor Yoon Sung Nam from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST has ...

Continuing with pledge pathways to 2030 could push climate goals out of reach

2013-12-03
Continuing with pledge pathways to 2030 could push climate goals out of reach Current pledges for greenhouse gas emission reductions are inadequate and will further increase the challenge to reach internationally agreed climate ...

SCPMA published special issue of 85th anniversary for the Institute of Physics, CAS

2013-12-03
SCPMA published special issue of 85th anniversary for the Institute of Physics, CAS In celebration of the 85th anniversary for the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, we publish this special issue of Science China-Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, which serves as a ...

Tuberculosis: Nature has a double-duty antibiotic up her sleeve

2013-12-03
Tuberculosis: Nature has a double-duty antibiotic up her sleeve A natural antibiotic turns out to be a lethal weapon in the fight against tuberculosis. Scientists have discovered it has an unexpected dual action that dramatically reduces the probability ...

New research will allow more reliable dating of major past events

2013-12-03
New research will allow more reliable dating of major past events Academics have developed a new internationally agreed radiocarbon calibration curve which will allow key past events to be dated more accurately Academics have developed a new method ...

LSTM researchers among first to sequence snake genome

2013-12-03
LSTM researchers among first to sequence snake genome Researchers sequence genome for the king cobra Researchers from LSTM, along with a team of international biologists who have recently sequenced the genome of the king cobra, say that their work reveals ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Major review highlights latest evidence on real-time test for blood – clotting in childbirth emergencies

Inspired by bacteria’s defense strategies

Research spotlight: Combination therapy shows promise for overcoming treatment resistance in glioblastoma

University of Houston co-leads $25 million NIH-funded grant to study the delay of nearsightedness in children

NRG Oncology PREDICT-RT study completes patient accrual, tests individualized concurrent therapy and radiation for high-risk prostate cancer

Taking aim at nearsightedness in kids before it’s diagnosed

With no prior training, dogs can infer how similar types of toys work, even when they don’t look alike

Three deadliest risk factors of a common liver disease identified in new study

Dogs can extend word meanings to new objects based on function, not appearance

Palaeontology: South American amber deposit ‘abuzz’ with ancient insects

Oral microbes linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer

Soccer heading does most damage to brain area critical for cognition

US faces rising death toll from wildfire smoke, study finds

Scenario projections of COVID-19 burden in the US, 2024-2025

Disparities by race and ethnicity in percutaneous coronary intervention

Glioblastoma cells “unstick” from their neighbors to become more deadly

Oral bacterial and fungal microbiome and subsequent risk for pancreatic cancer

New light on toxicity of Bluefin tuna

Menopause drug reduces hot flashes by more than 70%, international clinical trial finds

FGF21 muscle hormone associated with slow ALS progression and extended survival

Hitting the right note: The healing power of music therapy in the cardiac ICU

Cardiovascular disease risk rises in Mexico, despite improved cholesterol control

Flexible optical touch sensor simultaneously pinpoints pressure strength and location

Achalasia diagnosis simplified to AI plus X-ray

PolyU scholars pioneer smart and sustainable personal cooling technologies to address global extreme heat

NIH grant aims for childhood vaccine against HIV

Menstrual cycle and long COVID: A relation confirmed

WMO report on global water resources: 2024 was characterized by both extreme drought and intense rainfall

New findings explain how a mutation in a cancer-related gen causes pulmonary fibrosis

Thermal trigger

[Press-News.org] How onions recognize when to bulb