Scientists develop tobacco plant which turns red when it detects landmines

[The Straight Story]

Scientists develop tobacco plant which turns red when it detects landmines

A plant that can detect landmines has been developed by scientists.

The genetically-modified tobacco plant has a gene that triggers a red plant pigment found in tomatoes and apples.

When the roots detect nitrogen oxide which leaks from landmines, the green leaves turn red about ten weeks.
landmine clearance

Researcher Estelle Kempen, of Stellenbosch University, South Africa, said: 'It will be obvious if an area has mines because these plants will be red.

'The plants will also be able to tell if an area has been successfully cleared.

'They use this big mechanical de-mining equipment but they don't pick them all up.'

The plants have already been successfully tested in laboratories and greenhouses and are now undergoing field trials in Serbia and South Africa.

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1038703/Scientists-develop-tobacco-plant-turns-red-detects-landmines.html

[Captain Angry]

1. Awesome story.

Thanks!

There was one recently about bees being trained in two days to locate mines as well.

I love stories like this.

[ChazII]

2. Sounds like

plant abuse to me. :evilgrin:

[krispos42]

3. Tobacco, eh?

Seems to be that dandilions that turn red might be a bit less cancer-causing. But, hey, I'll take what I can get!

[TygrBright]

4. um. Question, please?

>>When the roots detect nitrogen oxide which leaks from landmines, the green leaves turn red about ten weeks.<<

So, uh, how do you get the plants to where you suspect the landmines MIGHT be, and actually get them INTO the ground for the rootsie-tootsies to feel around for ten weeks...

...without setting OFF the mines?

::thinking of plows and seeders and suchlike rumbling across mine-infested fields::

confuzzledly,
Bright

[Angleae]

6. Tobacco seeds require light for germination

You can't plow them under.

Start by sprinkling the tobacco seed onto the surface of a sterile seed starting mix and lightly water in. Do not cover the seed with any soil as they need light for germination and covering can slow down germination time or if covered too deeply the seed won't germinate at all, watering in lightly is all that is needed.

http://www.newhopeseed.com/tobacco/seed_culture.htm

You can simply drop the seeds from the air.

[TygrBright]

7. Not if you want the germinated seedlings to take root.

You STILL have to prepare the soil, or the seedlings will germinate and then croak as the hard crusty surface layer challenges their roots.

The bit you quote notes that the seeds must be scattered >>onto the surface of a sterile seed starting mix and lightly water in<<.

I'm getting this mental picture of a helicopter with guys in it upending bags of Miracle-Gro Seed Starter mix over the suspected field and cussing as the mix blows around in the rotor wash, NOT leaving a nice even layer for the seeds to come to rest in.

I'm all in favor of pure research and suchlike, but I think the practical applications for this are a long, LONG way away.

Unless there's something I'm not getting, here?

skeptically,
Bright

[Angleae]

9. Provided that they haven't already cleared

the area of landmines conventionally. Then the soil is broken up pretty good and they're using the tobacco to detect any missed mines.

[Booster]

5. I didn't read the entire article, but did they plant tobacco in a

landmine field? How the Hell do you discover something like this. Amazing.

[derby378]

8. See #6