News from INRES

The big watchdog on the field The big watchdog on the field

the robot and other technologies enable plants to be observed, analyzed, better understood and given targeted treatment. The device helps researchers to record key parameters such as plant growth, soil conditions, biodiversity and the atmosphere.

Dr. Jürgen Burkhardt Dr. Jürgen Burkhardt

from the Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) at the University of Bonn.

Technology for the field Technology for the field

Cyrill Stachniss (PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence) explains to Anja Karliczek how the use of robots and drones is being researched for the agricultural economy of the future.

High visitor High visitor

Federal Minister Anja Karliczek met with Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch (6th from right), the Rectorate and members of the six Clusters of Excellence.

A genomic gene cluster A genomic gene cluster

of the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis suppresses plant immune defense in maize. In reference to the "sisterly" division of tasks as effectors and the clustered occurrence in the genome, the genes were named after the Pleiades, the nymphs originating from Greek mythology and the eponymous star cluster.

Schematic representation of the Pleiades’ mechanism of action Schematic representation of the Pleiades’ mechanism of action

The pleiades gene cluster in the Ustilago maydis (corn smut) genome encodes a family of proteins, the Pleiades, that target maize immunity. The two Pleiades Taygeta1 (Tay1) and Merope1 (Mer1) inhibit Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, albeit in different cell compartments. Additionally, Mer1 acts in the nucleus to modify the activity of RFI2 homologues (Red and Far-Red Insensitive 2), a family of enzymes involved in early immune responses and that govern flowering time in plants.

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