A Champion Plant Found in Death Valley: It Grows at 45°C.

According to ТСН: Global warming poses serious threats to food security worldwide. The familiar crops of wheat, corn, and soybeans cannot withstand significant heat waves. However, a solution has emerged in the California desert known as Death Valley.

The new discovery is reported by Michigan State University, referencing research findings published in the journal Current Biology.

Survival Champion

The hero of this research is the plant Tidestromia oblongifolia, which locals call Arizona honey mesquite for the sweet aroma of its leaves that attracts insects.

When scientists attempted to grow this plant in the laboratory under normal conditions, it barely survived. However, as soon as the researchers recreated the conditions of the desert, the plant 'exploded' in growth:

• In just 10 days in the heat, it tripled its biomass.

• Its optimum temperature for photosynthesis reached 45°C, which is higher than any known agricultural crop.

'This is the most heat-resistant plant ever documented,' said Michigan State University professor Sue Rhi.

Survival Mechanism

The secret to the plant's successful survival lies at the cellular level. Scientists have discovered mechanisms previously unknown in higher plants:

1. Change in chloroplast shape: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis take on a unique cup-like shape for better carbon dioxide capture.

2. Mitochondrial migration: The 'energy stations' of the cell move to the chloroplasts to support energy exchange.

3. Genetic shield: Thousands of genes protecting the cells from damage are activated 24 hours after the heat sets in.

Hope for Humanity

This discovery is not just an interesting fact but also has practical implications. Scientists plan to use the genetic 'blueprints' of Tidestromia to create new, more climate-resilient agricultural crops. If successful in copying these mechanisms and introducing them into the genome of wheat or soybeans, humanity could achieve stable harvests even under global warming conditions, where temperatures are rising every year.

This discovery has great potential for agronomy and could be a significant step in combating the effects of climate change. Scientists hope that the results of this research will help ensure food security in a world facing environmental challenges.