【微特稿·科技与新知】日本研究人员试用乙醇助植物耐高温

Core Insights - A Japanese research team is studying the use of ethanol to help plants grow steadily in high-temperature environments, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heat on agriculture [1][2] - The research is led by the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, and findings indicate that applying ethanol can significantly enhance plant growth under heat stress [1] Group 1: Research Findings - Ethanol was administered to the roots and sprayed on the leaves of plants, resulting in improved growth under high temperatures [1] - In experiments with cherry tomatoes, plants treated with a 0.1% ethanol solution showed larger leaves and more than double the fruit yield compared to those only watered [1] - Other plants also exhibited increased protein levels that protect cells from heat and higher sugar content in leaves and fruits when treated with ethanol [1] Group 2: Context and Implications - Japan is experiencing record-breaking heat, with July's average temperature 2.89 degrees Celsius above the norm, the highest since records began in 1898 [1] - Accompanying the high temperatures, many regions in Japan received less than half of the average rainfall in July, raising concerns about potential crop failures and quality degradation [2] - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has established a "Water Shortage and Heat Countermeasure Headquarters" to address these challenges and promote water conservation [2]