Science & Nature
Aerial seeding approaches for agriculture or ecological restoration are often hindered by poor seedling establishment due to insufficient soil penetration, alone or in concert with a lack of water or nutrients. Writing in Nature, Luo et al. took inspiration from the anatomy of Erodium seeds to develop an autonomous, soil-boring seed carrier made from wood veneer. Exposure to water induces differential cell-shape changes that cause the carrier to unravel and drill its cargo into the soil.
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Fudge, J.B. Plant-inspired design of self-burying seed carrier.
Nat Biotechnol 41, 323 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01720-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01720-z
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Jared B. Fudge