New insight into a plant's respiratory system, responsible for creating it's energy, has been discovered according to elifesciences.org which just recently published these findings in an article called Atomic Structures of Respiratory Complex III2, Complex IV, and Supercomplex III2-IV from Vascular Plants. Research done by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at University of California Davis in California, has discovered the complex structures of atomic proteins that make up the respiratory system of a plant.
Like many other living creatures, plants use their respiratory system to garner energy. While other organisms' complex respiratory systems have been well studied, the underlying structures of plant's system has been challenging to view, until now.
Plants first use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into sugar, and then use their respiratory system to change the sugar into energy. This happens with the help of mitochondria, the part of the cell that helps turn food into energy, which is involved with five protein assemblies in the plant's respiratory system, creating an electron train to create energy.
Scientists did not know what a plant's respiratory system atomic structure actually looked like until this study, which uncovered three of the five protein assemblies involved. Using mung beans, they extracted mitochondria complexes, washed them with a mild detergent and stabilized them, then used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal their highly detailed 3D structures. The three newly revealed atomic structures are called complex III, complex IV and supercomplex III-IV. Based on the knowledge of these structures, the scientists then created models to test interactions with other molecules, find additional subunits, test binding ability and test the structural flexibility of the assemblies.
"Understanding how plant respiratory complexes work could lead to improvements in crop yields or, since respiration is required for survival, result in the development of herbicides that block respiration in plants more effectively and specifically. Further researching the structure of the plant respiratory complexes and supercomplexes could also shed light on how plants adapt to different environments, including how they change to survive global warming."
Their research also showed that there are shared aspects of respiratory structures between plants, mammals, bacteria, and fungi that previously were thought to exist only in plants. They also found some of the structures were actually unique to plants. This is important because many herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are made to interfere with the respiratory system of pests and this could help make them more effective and less harmful to crops.
"Our work provides high-resolution structures of plant respiratory complexes that reveal plant-specific features, allowing for the development of more selective inhibitors as herbicides and pesticides," concludes senior author James Letts, Assistant Professor at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Davis, US. "Further comparative analyses of these structures with the growing number of respiratory complexes will allow us to understand the fundamental principles of respiration across the tree of life."
Read the full study here:https://elifesciences.org/articles/62047
Updated: Oct 26, 2021
Beautiful landscape can add value and appeal to public areas. Choosing the right combination of plants and hardscapes, along with proper irrigation and drainage, makes for a successful landscaping project that can be inviting, visually pleasing and last for years.
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Hiring a company with a range of services can be easier than hiring subcontractors for each part. In addition to creating new projects, we also can renovate existing commercial outdoor areas and update irrigation systems. A well rounded commercial landscape company should offer the following:
Complete Landscape design
Complete Landscape construction, including hardscapes and water features
Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Commercial Irrigation Installation and Service, Including Backflow
Design & Construction
Whether starting from scratch or updating an existing area, our professionals take time to properly assess your current space. They look for issues related to erosion, drainage, health and appeal. Then they design proper drainage for the site, as well as smart irrigation systems which saves money by only watering when needed. In addition, we can update older systems with new technology.
We can also create a silva cell, an underground infrastructure system that provides stormwater management. Another great water saving option is bioretention beds, in which a shallow basin is filled with native plants specifically chosen to capture and treat runoff. Dry river beds are also visually nice and add directional run-off which is helpful to get water where you need it.
We then construct or renovate your space using these elements and add chosen amenities that will enhance the property, like pathways and outdoor living areas. Our horticulturists then choose plants that make the most sense for your design and conditions. Commercial landscape design and construction includes the following:
Softscapes with Plants and Trees
Hardscapes i.e.pathways, retaining walls, decks, stairs, built-in seating
Water Features i.e. ponds, streams, fountains
Smart Irrigation
Dry River Beds
Silva Cell Systems
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Fencing
Planters
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Fire Pit
Dog Park
Playground
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Outdoor Gym
Once your project is built or renovated, we offer a commercial maintenance plan to keep your property looking good! We can add seasonal flowers, prune trees, and check that everything is the way it should be on a regular basis. We take care of many commercial properties in Southern California, including schools, hospitals, condos, HOAs, resorts, and museums. Contact us or call us today at 661-222-7525 and see what we can do for you!
Updated: Sep 10, 2020
Good drainage is one of the most important elements of a well landscaped area. Without proper drainage, plants will not thrive and no one wants puddles of water around their property either. Making sure the ground drains properly is the first step to creating an efficient garden.
First figure out what kind of conditions you currently have. Not many places in California have to deal with high water tables, which can cause poor drainage because the ground water level is already high. Lots of clay can also impede soil drainage and extra drainage is required. Lastly, the ground being too tightly compacted, common in new building sites, can also be an issue and loosening the dirt is a good idea before landscaping.
Hillsides that are poorly graded creates water run off. Grading slopped areas is an important step. By terracing flat levels into a slope, water won't run off as fast and have a chance to soak in. Planting grass on a steep slope without good terracing and drainage can lead to brown spots because the water runs off too fast and does not adequately water areas evenly on steep areas. Ground covers would be a better bet for a steep slope where terracing is not implemented.
Smart irrigation and slow drip systems can also help in making sure your landscape is not overly watered and the water given can soak in. Avoiding run off and overspray is important when implementing a watering system and today's smart controllers monitor the ground and only water when needed.
If you would like help with your landscape project, contact us! Our award-winning experts can help with every stage of the landscaping process and maintenance!
