UV induced visual cues in grasses
"yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" MATTHEW 6:29-30.
![Blue fluorescence emission patterns in grasses at UV 366[emsp14]nm, bee activity in field conditions.](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_senzrhn0bYNJI4t5yR-enhKyoTjCtWPek3Hu1OKWgWzoDZ3hIkUgPky5i6aQ5xep-wjWLMzL9p-Af3ZWw3yNF2GKIhMVZfIWIUsty9ENHYrN40HguG8bMtdHuK78UvVTzDjUrff39d0HiEHiadVHN5qRbN=s0-d) |
Read article in the link: http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130924/srep02738/full/srep02738.html |
Grasses are NOT dull, but are ATTRACTIVE in ultraviolet.
ReplyDeleteOur study 'UV induced visual cues in grasses' describes a novel finding of fluorescence emissions from the reproductive structures of grasses. Grasses are a critically important family as it includes cereals (rice, wheat, maize), millets (bajra, ragi), bamboos and fodders. They are vital food sources for humans and animals. Grass flowers are least attractive ('dull') in visible light. In this study, we showed that grass flowers and reproductive structures are very attractive in ultraviolet through their fluorescence emissions. We proposed these blue emissions from grass reproductive structures as enticing visual cues to pollinators (bees, other insects), seed dispensers (birds) and predators (birds, rats). We also found out the chemical molecule behind these blue emissions from grass reproductive structures. Again, grasses are considered as wind pollinated. But,our study provides strong evidence towards insect pollination in grasses. Our findings could also attract more research leading to the discovery of novel molecular or fluorescence-based pest, weed control measures in future.
ReplyDeleteThanks ,Sabulal
Deleteinteresting! Is this phenomenon confined to grasses alone?
DeleteThank you Jee for your remarks.
ReplyDeleteWe have observed blue emissions from grasses.Similar emissions can be expected in other plants as well.
K C Koshy