Purdue University researchers have found a mechanism that naturally shuts down cellulose production in plants.
Learning how to keep that switch turned on may be key to enhancing biomass production for plant-based biofuels, the Purdue team reported in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Microbe Found in Cow Stomach Vital in Converting Corn Plants into Biofuel
Researchers at the Michigan State University have discovered that an enzyme from a microbe, which lives inside a cow's stomach is the key to turn corn plants into biofuel.
Researchers at the Michigan State University have discovered that an enzyme from a microbe, which lives inside a cow's stomach is the key to turn corn plants into biofuel.
The researchers made the discovery in barley after introducing a virus as a way to "silence" specific genes and study their functions.
"The virus hijacked a whole suite of genes, and when we compared the targeted plant to our control plants we found that the small RNAs were responsible and already in the controls even without adding the virus," said the authors.
Skyrocketing Food Prices - Biofuel is Guilty, Says
The World Bank says it is the biofuels that have forced global food prices up by 75% — far more than previously estimated.
The World Bank says it is the biofuels that have forced global food prices up by 75% — far more than previously estimated.
These secondary stages result in characteristics such as tough rinds of corn stalks, vascular elements to conduct water and fibers for strength. The researchers said that delaying or preventing the shutdown of both primary and secondary cellulose production might enhance total plant biomass, Xinhua news agency reported.
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EU Biofuel Directive Found Damaging, Targets to Be Reviewed
The European Union now admits that the ten per cent plant fuel target has proved damaging to the environment. It will now revise the targets.
The European Union now admits that the ten per cent plant fuel target has proved damaging to the environment. It will now revise the targets.
"Our work uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that suggests a way to increase the amount of cellulose produced in plants," said the authors.
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