Shade Avoidance Syndrome (SAS)

This podcast episode discusses Shade Avoidance Syndrome (SAS) in plants. Two hosts explore how scientists at the Salk Institute discovered the molecular process behind SAS, identifying a gene that produces an enzyme accelerating auxin (a plant growth hormone) production when plants are shaded. This leads to rapid stem growth as the plant attempts to reach sunlight. The discovery has implications for crop breeding, potentially maximizing yields by manipulating this growth response. Understanding SAS could help farmers improve crop production.