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  • Department of Botany and Plant Sciences

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Desert flowers

Invasive weed threatens Southern California’s deserts 

Once thought resistant to invasion, regional deserts are losing native plants to aggressive weedy species like Saharan mustard. UC Riverside research shows its spread is disrupting biodiversity and reducing the desert’s ability to recover from extreme climate swings.

By Jules Bernstein | April 23, 2025 | Science / Technology
broomrape parasitic plant

Triggering parasitic plant ‘suicide’ to help farmers

Parasitic weeds are ruthless freeloaders, stealing nutrients from crops and devastating harvests. But what if farmers could trick these invaders into self-destructing? Scientists at UC Riverside think they’ve found a way.

By Jules Bernstein | March 20, 2025 | Science / Technology
manzanita flowers

New manzanita species discovered, already at risk

A new species of native California shrub famous for its twisted branches and wildfire resilience has been discovered on the central coast, but its survival is already threatened by urban development that could destroy its fragile population.

By Jules Bernstein | February 24, 2025 | Science / Technology
Katayoon “Katie” Dehesh, UC Riverside distinguished professor and molecular biochemist. (UCR/Stan Lim)

Finding the power within

UC Riverside distinguished professor Katayoon “Katie” Dehesh has defied governments, gender expectations, and scientific beliefs.

By Sandra Baltazar Martínez | January 15, 2025 | University
cruddy smile

Dangerous bacterial biofilms have a natural enemy

Biofilm, a slimy bacterial layer that clings to surfaces, makes infections harder to treat when they form protective shields for bacteria on medical devices. Scientists have discovered a chemical that prevents biofilm from forming.

By Jules Bernstein | January 10, 2025 | Science / Technology
potato and tomato in a laboratory

Growing safer spuds: removing toxins from potatoes

Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes and tomatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in extreme environments, like outer space.

By Jules Bernstein | December 20, 2024 | Science / Technology
Seniors rowing

UCR receives major NIH grant for extending longevity

With age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia on the rise, the University of California, Riverside, is joining a major effort to develop treatments that delay aging and improve life for older adults. The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a $45...

By Jules Bernstein | November 20, 2024 | Science / Technology
cheers with beer

Century-old experiment secures beer and whiskey’s future

Thanks to an experiment started before the Great Depression, researchers have pinpointed the genes behind the remarkable adaptability of barley, a key ingredient in beer and whiskey. These insights could ensure the crop’s continued survival amidst rapid climate change.

By Jules Bernstein | September 11, 2024 | Science / Technology
wilted sunflower

What 106-degree heat does to plants

Three UC Riverside faculty experts weigh in on how the extreme summer heat affects our flora.

By Jules Bernstein | September 5, 2024 | Science / Technology, Experts
purple long beans growing

Protecting popular beans from bad bugs

Climate resilient, nutritious long beans are unfortunately susceptible to aphids and nematodes. By creating four new pest-resistant varieties of the beans, scientists aim to reduce farmers’ reliance on pesticides.

By Jules Bernstein | August 6, 2024 | Science / Technology
dehydrated sunflower

Free-forming organelles help plants adapt to climate change

Plants’ ability to sense light and temperature, and their ability to adapt to climate change, hinges on free-forming structures in their cells whose function was, until now, a mystery.

By Jules Bernstein | May 7, 2024 | Science / Technology
Ernst and Helen Leibacher - This photo is Courtesy of John Leibacher

Empowering scientific advancements

Ernst and Helen Leibacher's donation of land to UCR fund the establishment of an endowed chair in botany and plant sciences.

By Devlin Smith | March 1, 2024 | University
plant and cell cross section

Keys to aging hidden in the leaves

Scientists have known about a particular organelle in plant cells for over a century. However, UCR scientists have only now discovered that organelle’s key role in aging.

By Jules Bernstein | January 17, 2024 | Science / Technology
tray of citrus

UCR wages $11+ million war against citrus greening disease

With three new grants totaling more than $11 million, UC Riverside is helping lead the fight against citrus greening or Huanglongbing, a disease threatening citrus industries in the U.S. and worldwide.

By Jules Bernstein | December 19, 2023 | Science / Technology
Beverly Hills

Money to burn: wealthy, white neighborhoods losing their heat shields

A new study shows the protective effect of income has largely eroded over the past 40 years, as landscape plants can’t keep up with the pace of climate warming.

By Jules Bernstein | November 30, 2023 | Science / Technology
TIME award

Luna UCR avocado is one of TIME's '2023 best inventions'

The Luna UCR avocado is named by TIME as one of the best inventions of the year. Therecognition comes just months after UCR released the variety to commercial growers worldwide.

By David Danelski | October 24, 2023 | Science / Technology, Business, University
modified plants

Plants transformed into detectors of dangerous chemicals

What if your house plant could tell you your water isn’t safe? Scientists are closer to realizing this vision, having engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned, toxic pesticide.

By Jules Bernstein | October 23, 2023 | Science / Technology
Ceanothus, also known as California lilac

How to help save plants from extinction

Now is the time to identify the conditions that cause plants to die. Doing so will allow us to better protect plants by choosing conservation targets more strategically, UC Riverside botanists argue in a new paper.

By Jules Bernstein | October 17, 2023 | Science / Technology

A report from the groves:

Mary Lu Arpaia and Eric Focht have bred avocado trees in association with the University of California, Riverside, for decades. In the video below, they describe their quest for a better avocado that resulted in the release this year of the Luna UCR™, a new variety that is the great-grandchild...

By David Danelski | August 14, 2023 | Business, Science / Technology
UCR Luna avocado

UCR releases a new avocado tree to the world marketplace

The newly release Luna UCR™ avocado offers consumers great flavor, a rind that turns a tell-tale black when ripe, while growers will benefit from a smaller tree size, allowing denser plantings for more efficient and safer harvesting.

By David Danelski | July 10, 2023 | Business, Science / Technology
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Tel: (951) 827-1012

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