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Tinkering with root hair may help boost crop yields

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7 years ago

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Tinkering with root hair may help boost crop yields

~By Ratneshwar Thakur

Have you ever wondered how a plant is able to sense nutrients in the soil? The answer lies in the root design. Plants have the capability to change angle and length of their roots as well as hair-like extensions on roots for absorbing nutrients from soil.

Now researchers are exploring mechanisms adopted by plants to survive in low phosphate soils and figuring out if they can develop better strategies for plants to deal with poor water availability and low soil minerals.

In a collaborative study, researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) here have discovered in rice plant that production and transport of a hormone, auxin, in root hair zone triggers elongation of root hair under low phosphate conditions. The results of the study have been published in journal Nature Communications.

Dr. Jitender Giri and Bipin K. Pandey

Dr. Jitender Giri and Bipin K. Pandey

Phosphate is an important nutrient for plant growth and development. Researchers say once roots sense low availability of phosphate in the soil, the information is communicated to the plant which then signals back use of auxin to roots, in order to stimulate root hairs to grow longer and capture phosphate.

The study explains how auxin serves as an important signal for phosphate status in the root. A specific gene, OsAUX1, mobilizes auxin in the region of root where it signals hair elongation when roots encounter low soil phosphate.

Root hairs help to absorb phosphate and water from soil. The root hairs elongate to increase surface area to capture scarce nutrients such as phosphate under low soil phosphate conditions.

“Green revolution helped almost triple yields of major crops like rice and wheat. However, it was highly dependent on chemical fertilizers like phosphate and urea. India imports almost 90 percent of raw material for producing phosphate fertilizers. This inspired us to engineer plant roots for better nutrient acquisition,” Dr Jitender Giri told India Science Wire. Bipin K Pandey, a member of the team, explained that the study had revealed big role of tiny cellular extensions – root hairs – in nutrient acquisition from poor soils.

In another study published in the same journal, the research group has used Arabidopsis, a model plant, to further explore the phenomenon. It has been seen that when auxin synthesis or its transport to root tissues is disrupted, plant shows poor root hair elongation in response to low external phosphate conditions.

This research teams included members from NIPGR (India) , University of Nottingham (UK), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, (China), CIRAD (France), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden),  University of Aberdeen (UK), JIRCAS (Japan), James Hutton Institute (UK), Rothamsted Research (UK), The Pennsylvania State University, (USA) and University of Adelaide (Australia). The research work at NIPGR was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). (India Science Wire)

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Motorola Edge 60 Fusion launched in India with Sony sensor

The device is offered in three attractive color options: Pantone Amazonite, Pantone Zephyr, and Pantone Slipstream.

Published

2 days ago

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April 2, 2025

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On April 2, Motorola unveiled the Edge 60 Fusion in India, enhancing its lineup of premium mid-range smartphones. This new device succeeds the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and introduces several significant upgrades, including the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor.

Price and availability in India 

The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion comes with a price tag of Rs. 22,999 for the variant featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The model with 12GB of RAM and the same storage capacity is priced at Rs. 24,999. Interested buyers can purchase the smartphone through Flipkart and the official Motorola India website, with sales set to commence on April 9 at noon IST. The device is offered in three attractive color options: Pantone Amazonite, Pantone Zephyr, and Pantone Slipstream.

Specifications and features 

The Edge 60 Fusion boasts a stunning 6.7-inch all-curved pOLED display, offering a resolution of 1.5K (1,220×2,712 pixels). Its display features a 120Hz refresh rate, a 300Hz touch sampling rate, and can reach a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The screen is HDR10+ certified and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, with innovative Water Touch 3.0 technology integrated.

Under the hood, it operates on the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 SoC, coupled with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of uMCP storage, expandable via microSD card up to 1TB. The phone runs on Android 15 with the Hello UI, promising three years of software updates and four years of security patches.

For photography enthusiasts, the device is equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT700C main sensor featuring optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture. It also includes a 13MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 32MP front-facing camera capable of 4K video recording.

Motorola has added several AI-driven features such as photo enhancement tools, adaptive stabilization, and a magic eraser. The phone supports Google’s Circle to Search as well and comes with essential security and productivity enhancements, including Moto Secure 3.0, Smart Connect 2.0, and Family Space 3.0.

The Edge 60 Fusion is powered by a robust 5,500mAh battery that supports 68W Turbo Charging via USB Type-C. It also features dual stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Atmos for an improved audio experience.

Connectivity options on the device include support for 5G and 4G LTE networks, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS capabilities, and more. For user security, it features an in-display fingerprint scanner, and the device is built to last, boasting MIL-810H military certification along with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance.

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Jio extends its Rs 299 or above plan with free JioHotstar and JioFiber

In addition to this, the plan includes a generous 50-day free trial of JioFiber or AirFiber, granting customers high-speed internet access right in their homes.

Published

3 days ago

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April 1, 2025

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On Tuesday, Reliance Jio made a significant announcement by extending its popular unlimited plan priced at ₹299 and above until April 15. This extension is designed to cater to both new customers and existing subscribers, providing a wealth of entertainment options during the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The unlimited plan, which was initially introduced on March 17, comes packed with a variety of benefits. Subscribers will enjoy a complimentary 90-day subscription to JioHotstar, which allows streaming on a single device. In addition to this, the plan includes a generous 50-day free trial of JioFiber or AirFiber, granting customers high-speed internet access right in their homes.

One of the standout features of Jio’s unlimited pack is the extensive content it offers. Subscribers will have access to over 800 TV channels, ensuring that they can watch their favorite shows, movies, and live events. Furthermore, the plan grants access to more than 11 over-the-top (OTT) streaming applications, providing an array of entertainment choices that cater to various viewer preferences. Customers can also benefit from unlimited Wi-Fi data, making it easier than ever to stay connected and stream content without worrying about data limits.

This strategic extension of the unlimited plan is a calculated effort by Reliance Jio to capture a larger share of the market as cricket fans around the nation tune in for IPL matches. By offering enticing incentives, Jio aims to attract new subscribers while retaining their existing customer base.

To take advantage of these benefits, current Jio users can choose to recharge with the ₹299 plan or a higher-tier plan that starts at a value of ₹299 and includes 1.5GB of data per day or more. Prospective subscribers can also enroll in the same plan and enjoy the associated perks. Those who recharged prior to March 17 can still benefit from the JioHotstar offering by adding a ₹100 pack to their account.

By enhancing their service offerings, Reliance Jio continues to solidify its position in the competitive telecom industry, delivering exceptional value to its customers during an exciting time for sports and entertainment enthusiasts.

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Vivo T4 5G likely to launch in April: Expected price, features and specifications revealed

Vivo is reportedly planning to launch the T4 5G in India by April 2025. Expected to offer a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, 7,300mAh battery, and up to 12GB RAM, it aims to build on the success of the T3 5G.

Published

1 week ago

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March 25, 2025

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Vivo T4 5G expected to launch in India with new features

Vivo is gearing up to launch its next mid-range smartphone, the Vivo T4 5G, in India. According to recent reports citing a known tipster, the device could make its debut as early as April 2025, succeeding the Vivo T3 5G which was introduced in March last year. While the brand is yet to make an official announcement, early details have surfaced highlighting the expected pricing, specifications, and key upgrades.

Vivo T4 5G expected price and variants

The upcoming Vivo T4 5G is expected to fall in the Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 price bracket. The smartphone is likely to be available in three configurations:

  • 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
  • 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
  • 12GB RAM + 256GB storage

For reference, the Vivo T3 5G was launched at Rs 19,999 for the base 8GB + 128GB model and Rs 21,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant. The addition of a higher 12GB RAM option suggests Vivo may be targeting power users this time around.

Key specifications and upgrades expected in Vivo T4 5G

The Vivo T4 5G is rumored to feature a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED quad-curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate, promising a premium viewing experience. It may run on Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15 and could be powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset.

In terms of photography, the device is tipped to sport a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera with OIS, along with a 2MP secondary sensor. The front camera is expected to be a 32MP shooter, aimed at enhancing selfie performance.

One of the notable upgrades could be the inclusion of a 7,300mAh battery with 90W wired fast charging support, which would be a significant step up in battery capacity and charging speed for the segment. Additional features may include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IR blaster, and a sleek 8.1mm profile with a weight of 195g.

With the launch likely around the corner, more details are expected to be revealed by Vivo in the coming weeks.

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