In a major breakthrough, scientists have discovered the mechanisms behind the reconnection of xylem in interfamily grafts. Xylem is the vascular tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. The research was conducted by a team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and published in the journal Science.

This research has opened up new possibilities for the use of interfamily grafts in agricultural applications. By understanding how xylem reconnects in interfamily grafts, researchers can now manipulate the process to improve crop yield and quality. The team used advanced imaging techniques to better understand the process. They found that the reconnection of xylem was triggered by the formation of protein-based bridges between the two tissues, allowing for the interfamily graft to be established. This discovery could have implications for the production of high-quality fruits and vegetables, as well as for the development of new plant varieties.

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source: Phys.org