Five plant research discoveries or advances are among the Nifty 50. Scientists have already made fundamental discoveries that may lead to the development of improved crops and plant-based products. NSF began working with leaders in plant biology in the 1980s to foster a spirit of cooperation and to encourage the use of the model plant in research. The general belief is the Arabidopsis thaliana is so similar to most other plants that when properties of it are found, those properties likely exist in all other flowering plants. NSF researchers expect that by analyzing the structure and function of genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, they are laying the groundwork for studying the biology of all other plant species.
Some plants are more resistant than others to viral, bacterial or fungal diseases.
Identification of specific disease-resistant genes likely will allow for increased numbers of plants that are resistant to disease. Changes in response to light, temperature, water availability, salinity, air quality and other environmental factors. Genes for cold tolerance have been identified. Plant hormone response. Scientists have discovered how the plant hormone, ethylene, affects a wide variety of plant processes, including the ripening of fruit, wilting of flowers and changing of leaves' color.