Botany Archives

Pollinators Attracted by Hidden Patterns in Petals

December 7, 2022December 6, 2022 Science Connectedanimals, botany, flowers, pollinators

To better attract pollinators, plants change the chemical and physical properties of their petals to produce alluring colors.

Bacteria in plant leaves could one day eliminate the need for nitrogen fertilizers

Biology Botany Sustainable Living

Hidden Helpers: Bacteria in Leaves

November 16, 2022November 17, 2022 Science Connectedagriculture, bacteria, fertilizers, plants

New research shows that bacteria found inside plant leaves can transfer their nitrogen and might eliminate the need for nitrogen fertilizers.

Botany Ecology Health

Antioxidant Boost Found in Citrus Honey

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 Science Connectedantioxidant, biochemistry, free radicals, honey

Antioxidant levels were tested in different types of honey to pinpoint natural health-boosting compounds that help counteract free radicals.

Botany Climate Change Environment SciStarter Blog

Girl Scouts: Citizen Scientists

October 14, 2022October 13, 2022 Science Connectedcitizen science, climate change, trees

The Girl Scouts have made trees a big part of their citizen science efforts. Read on for ways you can participate—scout or not!

Image showing wheat sprouts, the green one on the right pretreated with ethanol to help survive droughts and the withered one on the left untreated.

Botany Climate Change

Ethanol May Help Crops Survive Droughts

September 21, 2022September 20, 2022 Science Connectedagriculture, biochemistry, botany, climate change, drought

Droughts can wreak havoc on food supply and crop production, but a new study shows that ethanol can help crops survive.

Biodiversity and Conservation Botany Ecology Zoology

Make Your Garden a Powerhouse for Pollinators

May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 Science Connectedbees, garden, pollinators

Home gardens are by far the biggest source of food for pollinating insects, including bees and wasps, in cities and towns.

Botany

Genetics Behind Lavender’s Popular Scent

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 Science Connectedagriculture, evolution

The scent of lavender is loved by humans and insects alike, but what makes lavender scent so attractive? A group of scientists decided to find out.

Biodiversity and Conservation Botany Ecology

Organic Gardening and Alternatives to Pesticides

April 13, 2022April 13, 2022 Science Connectedbirds, garden, insects, plants

Gardens inevitably attract insect pests. How can you use organic gardening techniques to protect your plants from pests and maintain a garden that is safe for pollinators and other animals?

Stalks of wheat silhouetted against blue sky, July 1978.

Botany Climate Change Genetics and Heredity

Wild Relative of Wheat Could Help Curb Disease

April 4, 2022March 30, 2022 Science Connected

Stem rust might be the bane of a wheat crop, but researchers may have found a solution that could protect the popular grain.

Biology Botany

Plant Bacteria Thrive in Wet Weather

March 30, 2022April 6, 2022 Science Connectedbacteria, disease, leaves, plants

Plants need water to grow, but too much water creates a perfect environment for plant bacteria, viruses, and fungi to thrive. How does this work, exactly? By Neha Jain Plants need water to grow. But too much water isn’t good for them either. Scientists have found that excessive rain and high humidity levels allow disease-causing bacteria to attack plants by creating a moist environment that makes them more susceptible to bacterial infections. When conditions are right, plants can be infected with bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While scientists and farmers have…