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

Unique lab seeks drought-tolerant traits in cotton, other plants

Unique lab seeks drought-tolerant traits in cotton, other plants
2011-06-25
(Press-News.org) CORPUS CHRISTI – As billion-dollar agricultural losses continue to mount in the withering Texas heat, Texas AgriLife Research scientists in Corpus Christi are taking a closer look at why some cotton varieties do better than others in drought conditions.

"We want to better understand those traits that control water use in plants so we can transfer that information to breeders and geneticists to more quickly develop drought-tolerant cultivars so badly needed here," said Dr. Carlos Fernandez, a plant physiologist at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Corpus Christi. Dr. Carlos Fernandez checks leaves of a cotton plant being evaluated for its drought tolerance.

Dr. Carlos Fernandez checks leaves of a cotton plant being evaluated for its drought tolerance.

To coax that information from nature, Fernandez designed and constructed a unique drought-tolerance greenhouse laboratory last year that is fully automated and computerized. The system closely tracks the water use and growth of various cotton varieties from planting to harvest, he said.

"All plants are treated equally," Fernandez said. "They all have the exact same amount of high-absorbent soil to remove that as a variation factor. Each also gets exactly the same amount of nutrient solution. We irrigate them daily up to a point when we stop or reduce irrigation to see how the plant reacts to the water deficiency."

Fernandez then precisely measures each plant's leaf area, stomatal density, water-conducting vessels, rooting systems and other characteristics. "We do this not only to look at the effects on water use and growth, but also the production of fiber and fiber quality."

The information and conclusions he develops are then shared with breeders and geneticists who may be able to provide growers with drought-tolerant cotton varieties.

"The idea is to tell them, 'Look at these plant traits that seem to confer a particular water economy in this cultivar. Look at this trait because in this cultivar it gives us this result.'"

Research using his greenhouse laboratory, which measures some 50 feet by 60 feet, is not limited to cotton, Fernandez said.

"This system can be used for other crops, but we're starting with cotton for obvious reasons, since it is such a large part of our agricultural production, and because water limitation is the most important yield-limiting factor here," he said.

The cooperative work of physiologists, geneticists and breeders on a single issue is something that hasn't been done in the past, Fernandez said.

"We are trying to generate the synergy of different disciplines working together to more quickly develop cultivars that will better tolerate the heat and water stresses that seem to be so prevalent lately."



INFORMATION:

Fernandez's AgriLife Research colleagues include Drs. Jane Dever and Steve Hague, cotton breeders in Lubbock and College Station, respectively.


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Unique lab seeks drought-tolerant traits in cotton, other plants

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Casino Online Reviews the New Sterling Silver 3D Slot

2011-06-25
Leading gambling guide, Casino Online, has reviewed the new Sterling Silver 3D slot by the popular Microgaming software. The original 2D version of Sterling Silver is one of all time Microgaming's popular slots - however many experts believe that the latest 3D model will mark a new type of online slots and likely to be a massively popular area of online gaming. No doubt that the 5 reel and 25 payline slot machine catches the eye, with the reels, symbols and interface all embossed in pure silver. As you spin for matching symbols lining up across selected paylines if ...

Mortgage Rates Flat - Close to 2011 Lows

Mortgage Rates Flat - Close to 2011 Lows
2011-06-25
Mortgage rates remained relatively unchanged this past week after moving lower for seven of the previous eight weeks according to ForTheBestRate.com, a popular consumer mortgage rate research website. The company reports that mortgage rates advertised in the rate tables displayed on the site are still at or below lows not seen since the end of 2010, with current posted 15 year mortgage rates as low as 3.250% (3.557% APR, Lender: Amerisave, as of 6/23/2011). Freddie Mac, a government sponsored enterprise that purchases residential mortgage loans in the secondary market, ...

Do You Have a Deviated Septum?

2011-06-25
A deviated septum is when the wall that divides your nostrils does not run straight down the middle, but turns slightly to one side or the other. This deviation can constrict one or both nostrils, and can lead to a number of chronic symptoms that can diminish your quality of life. It is estimated that perhaps 80% of all people have a deviated septum. Are you one of them? Some of the more common deviated septum symptoms include: - Nasal blockage - Nasal congestion - Facial pain and sinus headaches - Postnasal drip - Frequent nosebleeds - Frequent sinus infections - ...

Atlantic International Partnership - Stock Industry Forecasts

2011-06-24
The high energy spirits in stock markets found a sharp stop in March while initially unrest in the Middle East delivered the cost of oil leaping and therefore the earthquake in Japan generated much larger hesitation regarding leads to the global economic climate. The FTSE 100 reacted by shedding 7% in two weeks - from three March to 16 March. Atlantic International Partnership (AIP) offers a comprehensive service giving you, AIP investors and entrepreneurs access to Marketplaces in your region and around the World. AIP investors are uniquely dynamic individuals or ...

BonsaiTreeArt.com and OrchidSociety.com Host Horticultural Workshops in June 2011

2011-06-24
One-day horticultural workshops run by the BonsaiTreeArt.com and OrchidSociety.com: Bonsai Tree Care Workshop The workshop covers the essentials of the bonsai tree care, display and marketing. Basic bonsai care varies considerably depending on source species. This one day workshop will examine specifics of growing Chinese Elm, Japanese Juniper and Pine. The workshop also covers the history of bonsai, along with advice on pruning, potting, training, creating, and displaying them. This workshop program targets bonsai tree enthusiasts looking for additional source of income ...

LateRooms.com - Enjoy the Poetic Beauty of Pagliacci in Naples

2011-06-24
Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci has been adapted by Daniele Finzi Pasca and will be staged at Naples's Teatro di San Carlo in July. Using the original libretto and music by the 19th century Italian composer, Finzi Pasca has created a completely separate spectacle that utilises dreamlike atmosphere and elements of clown acting. The director is well-known for such imaginative concepts, having worked on projects with the Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize. Kristin Lewis, Carl Tanner, Dario Solari, Francesco Marsiglia and Simone Piazzola will be the on-stage talent, ...

LateRooms.com - Ghost The Musical Opens in London

2011-06-24
London's Piccadilly Theatre is hosting Ghost The Musical, a stage adaptation of the popular 1990s movie. The original film by Jerry Zucker saw Patrick Swayze's supernatural form communicate with his partner, played by Demi Moore, via Whoopi Goldberg's psychic. Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy will take on Swayze and Moore's parts in the musical version of the story, while Sharon D Clarke will fill Goldberg's shoes. As young lovers Sam and Molly, the pair are completely happy together until Sam is murdered. In a statement, the organisers remarked: "Ghost ...

LateRooms.com - Discover Marc Desgrandchamps in Paris

2011-06-24
The Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MaM) is offering travellers the chance to get to know a stunning artistic talent by the name of Marc Desgrandchamps. It will be on show until September 4th 2011 and includes a range of work by the Frenchman, from some of his early images in the 1980s to his most recent creations. Desgrandchamps's paintings often have explicit references to cinema, giving them a wider appeal and achieving a peculiar drama within each scene. There is an alluring combination of fantasy and reality in his paintings, which has become even ...

LateRooms.com - Seville to Host 7th Edition of Nocturama Concert Series

2011-06-24
The seventh edition of Nocturama is to be held at Seville's Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo (CAAC) this summer. From June 30th to September 1st there is a packed programme of musical entertainment scheduled every Wednesday and Thursday. The 2011 theme involves looking at music and songs as a form of social transformation. Kicking off proceedings on the first day of the festival will be Basia Bulat, a Canadian folk singer who often performs with an autoharp. Binary Audio Misfits, Pelle Carlberg, Lonely Drifter Karen and Nudozurdo are among the bands who ...

America's Got Talent is Back Featuring Master Magician/Illusionist Michael Turco

2011-06-24
TV's greatest talent search is back and the national prime time debut is marked by the appearance of one of America's best young magicians, Michael Turco. Turco has made quite a name for himself in the NJ/NY area and has taken that fame to the casino's of Atlantic City where he has headlined shows at both Bally's,The Hilton and for Caesar's Entertainment. With the talent search open to acts of all ages, America's Got Talent has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country.With hundreds of thousands ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Protecting nature can safeguard cities from floods

NCSA receives honors in 2024 HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards

Warning: Don’t miss Thanksgiving dinner, it’s more meaningful than you think

Expanding HPV vaccination to all adults aged 27-45 years unlikely to be cost-effective or efficient for HPV-related cancer prevention

Trauma care and mental health interventions training help family physicians prepare for times of war

Adapted nominal group technique effectively builds consensus on health care priorities for older adults

Single-visit first-trimester care with point-of-care ultrasound cuts emergency visits by 81% for non-miscarrying patients

Study reveals impact of trauma on health care professionals in Israel following 2023 terror attack

Primary care settings face barriers to screening for early detection of cognitive impairment

November/December Annals of Family Medicine Tip Sheet

Antibiotics initiated for suspected community-acquired pneumonia even when chest radiography results are negative

COVID-19 stay-at-home order increased reporting of food, housing, and other health-related social needs in Oregon

UW-led research links wildfire smoke exposure with increased dementia risk

Most U.S. adults surveyed trust store-bought turkey is free of contaminants, despite research finding fecal bacteria in ground turkey

New therapy from UI Health offers FDA-approved treatment option for brittle type 1 diabetes

Alzheimer's: A new strategy to prevent neurodegeneration

A clue to what lies beneath the bland surfaces of Uranus and Neptune

Researchers uncover what makes large numbers of “squishy” grains start flowing

Scientists uncover new mechanism in bacterial DNA enzyme opening pathways for antibiotic development

New study reveals the explosive secret of the squirting cucumber

Vanderbilt authors find evidence that the hunger hormone leptin can direct neural development in a leptin receptor–independent manner

To design better water filters, MIT engineers look to manta rays

Self-assembling proteins can be used for higher performance, more sustainable skincare products

Cannabis, maybe, for attention problems

Building a better path to recovery for OUD

How climate change threatens this iconic Florida bird

Study reveals new factor involved in controlling calorie expenditure

Managing forests with smart technologies

Clinical trial finds that adding the chemotherapy pill temozolomide to radiation therapy improves survival in adult patients with a slow-growing type of brain tumor

H.E.S.S. collaboration detects the most energetic cosmic-ray electrons and positrons ever observed

[Press-News.org] Unique lab seeks drought-tolerant traits in cotton, other plants