Scientists discover “hooked hairs” on bean roots that could revolutionize crop survival in drought-prone soils Unlike regular root hairs, which show up five to 10 days after germination, hooked hairs emerge after only three days. This means seedlings begin absorbing nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil much sooner than previously thought. Hooked hairs produce a waterproof, waxy coating that helps seedlings hold onto water and survive hot soil temperatures. This self-watering feature could save crops during heatwaves. Similar to hooked hairs on leaves that trap insects, these underground hooks may latch onto and kill harmful nematodes (microscopic…

Newswire

Features

The Latest

Editor's Picks