In Nature Plants: Scientists discover how arsenic builds up in plant seeds
Researchers from the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at the Florida International University (USA) are part of an international team that has identified how arsenic builds up in the seeds of plants similar to rice. The discovery holds the promise of the future development of healthier rice grains.

International lentil genome sequencing effort underway
Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan Canada have released a draft lentil genome assembly that will help develop new understanding and commercial applications of this ancient crop.­­

Serendipitous orchid: An unexpected discovery
A new elegant orchid species that grows on rocks in deciduous forests of the Pacific slope of Oaxaca state, Mexico, has finally put an end to a long standing dispute among taxonomists.

Call for nominations: ASA, CSSA & SSSA awards 
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America invite nominations for their 2016 awards and scholarships.

UK PlantSci 2016: Plants in a changing world
11–12 April 2016. Norwich, UK.

Spotted a funding opportunity we’ve missed? Please tell us about it by emailing lisa@globalplantcouncil.org

Please contact Ruth Bastow (ruth@globalplantcouncil.org) to find out how your organization can join the Global Plant Council. 

In Nature Plants: Theory of ‘smart’ plants may explain the evolution of global ecosystems
A new theory presented by Princeton University (USA) researchers suggests that the ecosystems of the world have their various forms because of plant “decisions” that made them that way. 

In New Phytologist: How fresh is your maple syrup?
Sugar maple trees can store carbon from the atmosphere for several years in non-structural reserves as a buffer against disturbances such as droughts, hurricane damage, or attacks by insects. A new study shows that trees draw on this reserve when springtime sap begins to flow.

Scientists create first map of the wheat epigenome
Scientists at the University of Liverpool (UK) have carried out the first ever genome-wide survey of heritable molecular changes that regulate gene activity in wheat, in what could become a new tool to improve crop breeding technologies.

Launch of the Latin American Plant Phenotyping Network (LatPPN)
A new network for Latin America to facilitate training of breeders and development of scientists on several aspects of phenotyping and pre-breeding methodologies, scientific exchange of young/senior researchers and students, and international access to resources and research facilities.

2016 named International Year of Pulses
The UN declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). And, no, they don’t mean the pulse you take to measure your heartbeat.

Lots of new reports, and an archive of useful documents from the last few years, are available on our website. Head to the Resources page and click ‘Reports’.

Spotted a funding opportunity we’ve missed? Please tell us about it by emailing lisa@globalplantcouncil.org

Now That’s What I Call Plant Science 2015
In the first of two 2015 round-up posts, New Media Fellow Amelia Frizell-Armitage reveals the Top 5 Most Influential Plant Science Stories of 2015, as voted for by GPC followers. 
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2015 Plant Science Round-up
In Sarah’s round-up post, she takes a look at some of the plant science breakthroughs of 2015.
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Plant discovery could help develop stress-resistant crops
A gene that helps plants to remain healthy during times of stress has been identified by UK researchers. Its presence helps plants to tolerate environmental pressures like drought – and it could help create crops that can better withstand adverse conditions.

Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth
In a recently published review paper in Trends in Microbiology, two integrative biologists present how it is possible to engineer the plant soil microbiome to improve plant growth, even if the plants are genetically identical and cannot evolve.

A cure for vitamin B6 deficiency
Plant scientists at ETH Zürich and the University of Geneva (Switzerland) have set out to find a way to increase vitamin B6 production in the roots and leaves of the cassava plant. This could prevent vitamin B6 deficiency among people who consume mostly cassava.

First global food and agriculture plant genetics data library gets go-ahead
Delegates from the 136 member nations of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture have given their approval to set up an international information gateway for the genetic data of food crop seeds.

3rd International Plant Physiology Congress
11–14 December 2015, New Delhi, India.

International Plant & Animal Genome XXIV
9–13 January 2016, San Diego, USA.

Lots of new reports, and an archive of useful documents from the last few years, are available on our website. Head to the Resources page and click ‘Reports’.

lobal Harvest Initiative
Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report: Building Sustainable Breadbaskets
More…The Global Food Security (GFS) Programme is inviting expressions of interest from post-doctoral researchers to take part in a Policy Lab on sustainable nutrition. If you are interested in taking an interdisciplinary and systems approach to a policy-relevant issue, who would relish the opportunity to produce an evidence-based report that will be widely read by policy, industry and the public, then this is for you.

Spotted a funding opportunity we’ve missed? Please tell us about it by emailing lisa@globalplantcouncil.org

Applications are also now open (until 30 November 2015) for the 2016 New Phytologist Tansley Medal, awarded each year to an outstanding early-career plant science researcher. More information here.

Biofortification
New Media Fellow Amelia Frizell-Armitage spoke to Professor Cathie Martin about biofortification and her work to improve the nutritional content of tomatoes.
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Taking Care of Wildlings
Hannes Dempewolf from the Global Crop Diversity Trust explains why it’s so important to conserve the wild relatives of our modern-day crops.
More…

Plant discovery could help develop stress-resistant crops
A gene that helps plants to remain healthy during times of stress has been identified by UK researchers. Its presence helps plants to tolerate environmental pressures like drought – and it could help create crops that can better withstand adverse conditions.

Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth
In a recently published review paper in Trends in Microbiology, two integrative biologists present how it is possible to engineer the plant soil microbiome to improve plant growth, even if the plants are genetically identical and cannot evolve.

A cure for vitamin B6 deficiency
Plant scientists at ETH Zürich and the University of Geneva (Switzerland) have set out to find a way to increase vitamin B6 production in the roots and leaves of the cassava plant. This could prevent vitamin B6 deficiency among people who consume mostly cassava.

First global food and agriculture plant genetics data library gets go-ahead
Delegates from the 136 member nations of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture have given their approval to set up an international information gateway for the genetic data of food crop seeds.

3rd International Plant Physiology Congress
11–14 December 2015, New Delhi, India.

International Plant & Animal Genome XXIV
9–13 January 2016, San Diego, USA.

Lots of new reports, and an archive of useful documents from the last few years, are available on our website. Head to the Resources page and click ‘Reports’.

lobal Harvest Initiative
Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report: Building Sustainable Breadbaskets
More…The Global Food Security (GFS) Programme is inviting expressions of interest from post-doctoral researchers to take part in a Policy Lab on sustainable nutrition. If you are interested in taking an interdisciplinary and systems approach to a policy-relevant issue, who would relish the opportunity to produce an evidence-based report that will be widely read by policy, industry and the public, then this is for you.

Spotted a funding opportunity we’ve missed? Please tell us about it by emailing lisa@globalplantcouncil.org

Applications are also now open (until 30 November 2015) for the 2016 New Phytologist Tansley Medal, awarded each year to an outstanding early-career plant science researcher. More information here.

Biofortification
New Media Fellow Amelia Frizell-Armitage spoke to Professor Cathie Martin about biofortification and her work to improve the nutritional content of tomatoes.
More…

Taking Care of Wildlings
Hannes Dempewolf from the Global Crop Diversity Trust explains why it’s so important to conserve the wild relatives of our modern-day crops.
More…