Overview
Research led by biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, published in Current Biology, indicates that grasses grow according to temperature. This finding contrasts with the growth patterns of other plants, which typically respond to light. Grasses, including corn, wheat, and rice, constitute the majority of plant-based calories consumed by humans and livestock.
Research Context
Grasses are fundamental to global food systems. Corn, wheat, and rice are major sources of human and livestock calories. Despite their importance, the mechanisms governing grass growth have been less understood compared to other plant types, leading to a common dismissive saying, "as boring as watching the grass grow."
Approach
The research involved biologists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The study's methodology focused on identifying the environmental cue responsible for regulating grass growth. The investigation specifically examined the roles of temperature and light in this process.
Findings
- Grasses grow according to temperature.
- This temperature-dependent growth distinguishes grasses from other plants, which grow based on light.
Why This Matters
Understanding that grass growth is temperature-dependent provides insight into the biology of a plant group that supplies most of the world's plant-based calories for both humans and livestock.