Purslane the weed that could feed the planet
A common weed uses uncommon types of photosynthesis. Higher temperatures, more severe droughts, and the other effects of climate change are now threatening crop yields. Genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR, can give crops characteristics that help them withstand the effects of climate change. Purslane uses two rare types of photosynthesis that help the plant survive heat and drought. This knowledge could help scientists engineer hardier crops . Yale researchers have uncovered new details on how a common weed is able to thrive under hot, dry conditions — potentially a roadmap to engineering crops that are resistant to the effects of climate change. The challenge: Higher temperatures, more severe droughts, and the other effects of climate change are now threatening crop yields , imperiling progress in feeding the world made since the Green Revolution. While corn yields have nearly tripled worldwid...