The axiom, “growing like a weed,” takes on new meaning in light of changes in gene expression that occur when weeds interact with the crops they infest, according to a plant scientist. Using sophisticated genetic-mapping techniques, the research team is documenting how corn and weeds influence one another. “Weeds grow like weeds when they grow with corn,” says the lead author. “They grow bigger, and taller in corn than by themselves.” And inversely, “corn grows less among weeds.”
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