The Interdisciplinary Plant Group is a community of MU faculty, students, and professionals from a range of scientific disciplines who are pursuing novel, creative, and transformative ideas in the field of plant biology. Established in 1981, the IPG provides a supportive, open, and flexible research environment that transcends traditional departmental boundaries, facilitates the sharing of ideas and resources, and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. The IPG is comprised of 50 faculty-led research teams representing the divisions of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, and Plant Sciences and the departments of Forestry and Computer Science.
Soybean Database Will Help Breeders Engineer Better-Performing Plants
Dec 31, 2008
MU researchers awarded $1.1 million grant from United Soybean Board
Dec 31, 2008
MU researchers awarded $1.1 million grant from United Soybean Board
Four IPG Faculty Elected 2008 AAAS Fellows
Dec 18, 2008
Four faculty members of the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Plant Group have been awarded the distinction of Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Dec 18, 2008
Four faculty members of the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Plant Group have been awarded the distinction of Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Improving Soybean Digestibility
Dec 18, 2008
New research conducted by IPG member Kristin Bilyeu suggests that soybeans can be improved to increase digestibility, important for animal feed.
Dec 18, 2008
New research conducted by IPG member Kristin Bilyeu suggests that soybeans can be improved to increase digestibility, important for animal feed.
Eavesdropping on Plant Sex
Like animals, most plants avoid mating with close relatives. But, how plants decide who is a relative has been a mystery to science. New research from MU investigators suggests that this decision-making process is more intricate than previously considered.
Like animals, most plants avoid mating with close relatives. But, how plants decide who is a relative has been a mystery to science. New research from MU investigators suggests that this decision-making process is more intricate than previously considered.
Roots’ Response to Light May Determine a Plant’s Drought Tolerance
Drought is an ongoing concern for farmers. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, a reduction of one bushel per acre of soybean due to drought reduces Missouri net farm income by approximately $25 million, while a similar reduction in corn yields results in a $5 million decrease. A recent connection made between plant response to light and drought tolerance could help MU scientists develop drought-resistant crops.
Drought is an ongoing concern for farmers. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, a reduction of one bushel per acre of soybean due to drought reduces Missouri net farm income by approximately $25 million, while a similar reduction in corn yields results in a $5 million decrease. A recent connection made between plant response to light and drought tolerance could help MU scientists develop drought-resistant crops.
Signals for Survival
If plants had brains, they'd be single-minded, indeed. Their mantra would be "survive and reproduce." But plants don't use, or express, many of their genes until absolutely necessary, such as when they are under stress. The ability of genes to hibernate saves precious energy, says IPG member Shuqun Zhang, associate professor of biochemistry. Zhang has recently earned high praise in the scientific community for his studies of the complex internal signals plants send when they are subject to stress, including extreme heat or cold, viruses or ultraviolet light.
If plants had brains, they'd be single-minded, indeed. Their mantra would be "survive and reproduce." But plants don't use, or express, many of their genes until absolutely necessary, such as when they are under stress. The ability of genes to hibernate saves precious energy, says IPG member Shuqun Zhang, associate professor of biochemistry. Zhang has recently earned high praise in the scientific community for his studies of the complex internal signals plants send when they are subject to stress, including extreme heat or cold, viruses or ultraviolet light.
MU Researchers Determine Effective Peptide Combinations That Help Plants Defend Against Infection
Researchers at MU have identified peptides that when produced in plants protect the roots of agricultural crops such as tomatoes, melons, peppers and squash against invasion by Phytophthora capsici, a dangerous pathogenic microorganism.
Researchers at MU have identified peptides that when produced in plants protect the roots of agricultural crops such as tomatoes, melons, peppers and squash against invasion by Phytophthora capsici, a dangerous pathogenic microorganism.
Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri, 371 Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 884-4144 * Fax: (573) 884-7676 * E-mail: plantgroup@missouri.edu
© Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyright information. An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
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Phone: (573) 884-4144 * Fax: (573) 884-7676 * E-mail: plantgroup@missouri.edu
© Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyright information. An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
Design and support provided by Express Academic Services