Hidden Powers of Lignin in Plant Growth Explored

Aug 09, 2023

Clint Chapple and his team from Purdue University studied lignin, a basic plant fiber. Lignin is usually seen as just a structural component, but recent experiments suggest it might affect plant growth more than we thought.

Primarily recognized for its role in industries like pulp and paper, Chapple's team has been exploring lignin's potential in biofuels. Their research, focused on the experimental plant Arabidopsis thaliana, took an unexpected turn when certain manipulations led to diminutive plants.

This led Fabiola Muro-Villanueva to investigate further. Her rigorous experiments pointed to pinoresinol, a compound previously believed to only serve as a lignin building block, as a potential growth influencer.

This groundbreaking discovery suggests that pinoresinol, along with other compounds like coniferyl alcohol, plays a pivotal role in plant development, especially in roots. It opens doors to a more comprehensive understanding of plants, particularly when considering modified plants for biofuel production.

Chapple highlighted the pressing need for this depth of knowledge to ensure any newly developed plant species thrive in the wild.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, this research offers an enlightening perspective on the myriad capabilities of plants.

Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute