The distribution of biomass among trophic levels provides a theoretical basis for understanding energy flow and the hierarchical structure of animal communities. In the absence of energy subsidies [1], bottom-heavy trophic pyramids are expected to predominate, based on energy transfer efficiency [2] and empirical evidence from multiple ecosystems [3]. However, the predicted pyramid of biomass d...

Biofuels provide a promising route of producing energy while reducing reliance on petroleum. Developing sustainable liquid fuel production from cellulosic feedstock is a major challenge and will require significant breeding efforts to maximize plant biomass production. Our approach to elucidating genes and genetic pathways that can be targeted for improving biomass production is to exploit the ...

The present investigation assessed the effects of a metalloid (arsenic) and two heavy metals (cadmium and mercury), on the growth and metal accumulation in two medicinal plant species, artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and Savory (Satureja hortensis L.). The experiment was conducted hydroponically in spiked solution with different concentrations of arsenic (0, 20, 100, and 500 µM), cadmium (0, 10,...

and Amthor (1999) suggested that the RUE era in crop modeling should be closed. Accurate measurement of crop growth and radiation use efficiency A number of factors contribute to the variation in (RUE) under optimal growth conditions is required to predict plant reported estimates of RUE (Sinclair and Muchow, 1999). dry matter accumulation and grain yield near the genetic growth potential. Rese...

Carbon allocation to roots is of widespread and increasing interest due to a growing appreciation of the importance of root processes to whole-plant physiology and plant productivity. Carbon (C) allocation commonly refers to the distribution of C among plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, roots); however, the term also applies to functional categories within organs such as defense, injury, repair...

About 64% of the total aboveground biomass in sugarcane production is from the culm, of which ~90% is present in fiber and sugars. Understanding the transcriptome in the sugarcane culm, and the transcripts that are associated with the accumulation of the sugar and fiber components would facilitate the modification of biomass composition for enhanced biofuel and biomaterial production. The Sugar...