Breakthrough: 'Global warming gene'

Scientists at the University of Bristol, along with their colleagues in Minnesota and at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, have recently published exciting new research in the journal PNAS, which increases our knowledge about the way in which rising temperatures affect plant growth.

Just a small a change in temperature (from 20 C - 28 C) is enough to cause a striking change in plant height. According to Dr Kerry Franklin, who led the Bristol team, "Small elevations in ambient temperature promote the rapid elongation of plant stems, which can have negative impacts on plant stability and crop yields".

Although we are still at the early stages understanding how temperature effects plant growth, this paper offers tantalising prospects by which science may be able to alleviate some of the damaging effects of global warming

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