How Plant Stem Cells Could Support Human Growth

Research by Professor Huanzhong Wang at the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources highlights the untapped potential of plant stem cells in enhancing food supply resilience, earth.com revealed in an article on Tuesday.

While animal stem cells have garnered significant attention for their regenerative abilities, plant stem cells play a critical role in plant growth and longevity, embedded in roots, shoots, and vascular systems.

Wang’s recent study published in New Phytologist focuses on the HVA gene, which controls cell division in vascular stem cells. Overexpressing this gene can significantly increase vascular bundles, improving structural resilience in crops. For instance, plants with the HVA gene can develop over 50 vascular bundles, enhancing wind resistance in taller crops like corn.

As global food demands rise, harnessing plant stem cells could lead to faster-growing, more resilient crops, potentially reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thus promoting sustainable agriculture and minimizing environmental impact.