New Images Reveal Unknown Plant Growth Insights

By Rebecca Carmeli-Peslak

University of California San Diego and Stanford University researchers have revealed new insights on plant growth according to a release. The researchers released their new knowledge about different root chemicals being responsible for plant growth found using a mass spectrometer. Using this tool, researchers essentially produced a roadmap to show the distribution of small molecules on the stem cells of maize plant roots. Researchers also were able to determine how their placement factors into the plant’s maturation.

Assistant professor Alexandra Dickinson, visiting scientist at Stanford University, worked with Sarah Noll and Professor Richard Zare to adapt the new technology, desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). The technology was used to probe plant roots to determine what chemicals are involved in growth and energy production.