Newsletter April 2019
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Welcome. In this edition we are highlighting a new resource, the SAPS Plant Science Summer School and some research using synthetic plant hormones to tackle a parasitic plant threatening the food supply of millions of people.
Context for Osmosis
 Image: Longitudinal section of root tip of Maize. With an emphasis of aiding students' understanding of key processes across biology we've developed a new resource, “Context for Osmosis” a supplementary activity to our osmosis in bell pepper practical. This provides examples of how important osmosis is to plants and the processes that are driven by it, including root growth, leaf positioning, rapid responses as well as transport pathways. Each slide of the presentation includes a fuller explanation for the teacher as well as links to interesting articles.
There are a number of ways to use this resource. You could use it to demonstrate more about the amazing role of osmosis in plants and provide contexts to your students beyond the section of potato your students may be familiar with. You could display a slide and ask your students to think about how osmosis might be involved in these processes. More able students can refer to the open access articles referenced in the resource.
We’re always interested to know what you think about new resources so do get in touch with your thoughts either via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on our social media channels.
SAPS Plant Science Summer School
Are you an experienced teacher of post-16 students?
The SAPS plant science summer school is your opportunity to join the SAPS team in learning about contemporary plant science research from world-leading plant scientists. Running from 30th June to 3rd July 2019, you will be immersed in plant science, engaging with enthusiastic researchers and practical tutors. You will take part in plant science practical activities and will have the exclusive opportunity to ask lecturers about their work and explore how this might help you provide context and inspiration for your students. You will also begin development of a new teaching resource inspired by your experiences at the summer school.
The SAPS Summer School is supported by the National STEM Learning Centre. Bursaries provided by SAPS are available for eligible schools.
To find out more and how to apply, go to the SAPS website.
   Image: Teachers participating in previous SAPS Summer School activities.
Synthetic plant hormones
Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia are using synthetic plant hormones to tackle a parasitic plant that threatens the food supply of 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica) attaches to the root of its host plants, withdrawing nutrients and dramatically reducing yield. Symptoms in host plants, which include the major food crops sorghum, maize and rice, resemble symptoms of drought or nutrient deficiency so infection is hard to spot and by the time the witchweed plant itself emerges, the damage is done. However, if germinating witchweed seeds cannot find a plant root to attach to, they will die. The researchers used synthetic forms of the plant hormone strigalactone, usually secreted by plant roots, to trick purple witchweed seeds into germinating with no host plants nearby. When bare crop fields in Burkina Faso were treated with these hormones the number of witchweed plants was reduced by over half. The findings promise hope that this invasive parasite can be controlled and the group will continue working to develop real-world solutions to the problem.
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