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Explore the wonders of nature and the incredible abilities of these botanical marvels in this enlightening video compilation.
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00:01In the Mexican mountains, there is this ancient species of corn that's twice as big as your average cob and
00:08has some crazy aerial roots.
00:10These roots drip a slime that could change the game for agriculture and finally put an end to all those
00:16toxic chemicals.
00:18The locals have been growing this mysterious maize for over 2,000 years, passing down the tradition from generation to
00:25generation.
00:27A scientist in Oaxaca heard about this super-sized corn and decided to check it out.
00:33When he finally saw it, he couldn't believe his eyes.
00:37This crop was like something out of a myth, towering at 16 to 18 feet tall, with weird fingers sticking
00:44out from its stalks.
00:45And get this, those fingers were dripping with a thick, gooey slime that acted like a self-fertilizer.
00:53No more adding artificial fertilizers to the soil.
00:59It's a big deal, because most cereal grains can't fix their own nitrogen levels.
01:04So farmers have to douse them in nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
01:08Not only is this bad for the environment, but it's also expensive.
01:13But with this new corn slime, we might be able to solve a systemic problem in our food sources.
01:19It's like a biological hack that could revolutionize agriculture as we know it.
01:25The locals called this super-plant Olatón corn.
01:28By the way, it was basically a secret to the rest of Mexico until the 80s.
01:33It took another 30 years for a team of researchers to study this super-cool maize.
01:39They knew they needed the community's help, so they built a lab right where the locals could pitch in.
01:45The corn secretes a slime that has bacteria that can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can absorb.
01:54It means it can draw 80% of its nitrogen from the air.
01:58Basically, the holy grail of agriculture.
02:02But of course, some people had to ruin the fun by arguing over who owns the rights to this magical
02:08corn.
02:09It's called biopuracy, and it's not cool.
02:12The indigenous people who have been taking care of this crop for centuries are saying,
02:17Hey, this isn't just a crop, it's part of our culture and heritage.
02:22Unfortunately, the Olatón corn isn't being used yet, because it can't keep up with modern industrial standards.
02:29But scientists are working on cross-breeding it with other varieties to see if they can get the best of
02:36both worlds.
02:37They've already cut growing time in half and increased nitrogen absorption to 40%,
02:42but they estimate it'll take a few more generations to stabilize a hybrid corn.
02:49Imagine if we could use atmospheric nitrogen for other cereal grains, like rice or wheat.
02:55That would be huge for reducing artificial fertilizers that harm our environment.
03:00It's crazy to think that a little-known maze from a misty mountain in Mexico could potentially solve world hunger.
03:07It just goes to show that diversity is essential to our survival.
03:14Speaking of plants that can help us survive in the future,
03:17did you know that Mars might be the perfect place for leafy green vegetables to grow?
03:22The soil there is packed with iron, which means our favorite greens could thrive.
03:28And with Earth's future looking a little uncertain,
03:31it's not a bad idea to start thinking about other planets we could live on.
03:35Unfortunately, most planets are too hot to sustain life.
03:39Seriously, Venus can get up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
03:43That's hotter than metal melts.
03:44But Mars is different.
03:47Even though it's a cold desert now,
03:49billions of years ago, it was covered in water and maybe even life.
03:55Scientists are already studying which plants could grow on Martian soil.
03:59And it turns out that lettuce, onions, kale, peas, garlic, and even dandelions,
04:05yep, those weeds in your backyard,
04:07could all potentially survive there.
04:10Spinach is another great option, thanks to all that iron in the soil.
04:15Who knows, maybe one day we'll all be snacking on Martian microgreens
04:19in case Olatong corn can't cover all our needs.
04:25One more super plant that can help us in the future is bamboo.
04:29And while other countries like China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia
04:35are all about chowing down on those delicious bamboo shoots,
04:39they're also a local fave here in the islands.
04:42In Bangladesh, they even have a traditional dish that's made with bamboo.
04:47No wonder they call it the king of vegetables.
04:50It's delicious and packed with health benefits.
04:53Plus, just half a cup has 11% of your daily potassium needs.
04:59If you're lucky enough to find fresh bamboo shoots,
05:02look for ones that are firm and heavy with a wide base.
05:05And don't let them turn green.
05:07That means they've been out in the sun too long and will taste bitter.
05:11If you're feeling adventurous, you can even harvest your own shoots.
05:15Let's say in Hawaii.
05:18But bamboo is not only about food.
05:20It boasts a lot of cool things.
05:23It's the fastest growing plant on Earth.
05:25Some types of bamboo can grow over a few feet in just one day.
05:31More than an inch every hour, people.
05:34Bamboo is also totally sustainable and renewable because it spreads like wildfire.
05:39A bamboo forest grows way faster than a tree forest,
05:43so it's basically the superhero of the plant kingdom.
05:47Now, some folks say that bamboo can produce up to 35% more oxygen than a bunch of trees put
05:53together.
05:54Oh, and get this.
05:56Bamboo can replace wood in almost anything you can think of.
06:00Seriously, there are thousands of bamboo products out there that are just as good as their wooden counterparts.
06:05We're talking paper and pulp products, flooring, musical instruments, furniture, construction materials, you name it.
06:13Bamboo's got it covered.
06:17On to some serious stuff.
06:19According to British researchers, we're barely scratching the surface of what plants can do for us.
06:24First up, we've got super plants.
06:27Did you know that the veggies on your plate were once just regular old crops?
06:32But out in the wild, there are some seriously tough plants that have developed resistance to all sorts of pests
06:38and diseases.
06:40Plant breeders are working to crossbreed these wild crops with our domesticated ones,
06:45making them just as resilient while still giving us all the benefits we love.
06:49It's a global effort, with countries like Brazil, China, and India leading the charge.
06:55And with the world population set to hit over 9 billion, these super plants could be a total lifesaver.
07:04Next on the list, medicinal plants.
07:06We've known for ages that plants can heal us, but are we really making the most of it?
07:11There are over 28,000 plant species that have medicinal uses,
07:15but less than 16% of them are actually being used in medicine.
07:20That's crazy!
07:21The industry is worth billions.
07:23And countries like Germany are already embracing herbal remedies.
07:27But we need to be careful.
07:29There are plenty of dodgy products out there that could do more harm than good.
07:34Then we have bananas on steroids.
07:37Okay, not really.
07:38But did you know that we could actually make bananas bigger and better?
07:42By tweaking their genes.
07:43Don't worry, it's all safe and above board.
07:46Scientists can create bananas that are resistant to disease and pests,
07:50and can even grow in harsher climates.
07:53That means more food for everyone!
07:57Last but not least,
07:59it turns out that the flammability of plants is super important
08:03when it comes to preventing wildfires and all the damage they can cause.
08:07But don't worry, fire is actually a natural process in some ecosystems.
08:12The scientists are on a mission to identify plant families that can withstand fires
08:17and create landscapes that are more resilient.
08:20These plants could even be used as natural firebreaks, saving valuable resources.
08:27Now meet cinchona.
08:29Not your typical food plant, but it's got some serious game.
08:33This tree bark is the secret ingredient to making quinine, which is used to cure malaria.
08:39And get this, it was actually the Quechua people of Peru who schooled the newcomers on how to use it.
08:45There are some wild stories about cinchona out there.
08:49Like, have you heard about the sick lions chewing on the bark?
08:52Or the febrile lion that drank from a pond with cinchona bark and was instantly cured?
08:58But let's be real, these legends are probably just people trying to make an already cool story even cooler.
09:05Anyway, cinchona is a hero, but not all the heroes wear capes.
09:12Majestic trees and colorful flowers need to move over a bit
09:16because the unsung hero of the plant world has emerged from the shadows.
09:21Moss.
09:22The humble green carpet of nature is not to be underestimated.
09:26In a new study, scientists have finally cracked the moss code
09:30and revealed just how crucial these tiny botanical wonders are for ecosystems worldwide.
09:36Researchers scoured over a hundred sites across eight different ecosystems
09:40on a moss-hunting expedition that would make even Indiana Jones envious.
09:45Their findings reveal that moss cover an astonishing 3.6 million square miles,
09:51which is equivalent to the vastness of Canada, eh?
09:55Now, what makes these mosses so unique?
09:58Well, for starters, they don't have the fancy plumbing system that ordinary plants feature.
10:03Instead, these cheeky mosses survive by cleverly sipping water from the atmosphere.
10:09Think of moss as nature's own little water-absorbing sponges.
10:13Some mosses, particularly those found in the dry regions of Australia,
10:18have mastered the art of survival.
10:20When the going gets tough and water becomes scarce, they don't perish like other plants.
10:25Instead, these mosses curl up into a tight ball and enter a state of suspended animation.
10:31They go into the state similar to hibernation.
10:34Scientists have even studied mosses that have been chilling in a packet for a whopping century.
10:40They gave them a splash of water, and voila!
10:43They spring back to life, defying the laws of plant decomposition.
10:48But what about their impact on the environment, you ask?
10:51These green superheroes play a vital role in nutrient cycling,
10:55giving elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter a serious boost.
11:01Their soils were compared to non-mossy soils in the study.
11:04And let's just say the mossy ones were way better.
11:07They very efficiently juggle nutrients and store away massive amounts of carbon,
11:12a pesky element that causes trouble when it overloads our atmosphere.
11:16But here's the moss icing on the cake.
11:20They're also great at keeping pesky pathogens in check.
11:23The scientists found that areas with moss had fewer potential plant diseases lurking in the soil.
11:29Now, let's talk about the landscaping skills of moss.
11:33These tangle-rooted plants are nature's soil engineers,
11:36holding everything together like a green construction crew.
11:40Their shallow roots create a stable surface for a large array of plant life to flourish,
11:45paving the way for complex ecosystems to thrive.
11:48When it comes to places where trees fear to tread, like deserts and tundras,
11:54mosses step up to the plate.
11:56These resilient organisms dominate these challenging environments,
12:00providing much-needed biodiversity and life where trees dare not venture.
12:06High-density mosses create lush mats and turfs
12:09that contribute to the richness of the soil and ecosystems
12:12in these seemingly inhospitable regions.
12:15There's one last trick off the moss's sleeve.
12:18After major disturbances, like volcanic eruptions that leave the land barren and desolate,
12:24guess who's the first to make a comeback?
12:26Alongside resilient cyanobacteria and algae,
12:30mosses quickly colonize the unlucky landscape,
12:34kick-starting the process of regeneration.
12:36Some mosses are total light superheroes, too.
12:40That's because they can rapidly adapt to low-light conditions.
12:43They even have an audacity to grow in caves.
12:47One particular moss species is dubbed the dragon's gold.
12:51This moss knows how to put on a show,
12:53shining bright in a stunning emerald green.
12:56How does it manage to be so luminescent, you ask?
12:59Well, first off, we have the protonema,
13:02these amazing thread-like structures that sprout from a moss spore.
13:06Inside these little wonders,
13:08special cells gather together like a mossy team huddle,
13:11making sure they soak up every bit of light that's available.
13:15And if that wasn't enough, some lens-shaped cells participate, too,
13:19giving the light a little focus.
13:21And shine they do!
13:23When light bounces off, it creates a mesmerizing green luminous glow.
13:28It's like having your own personal light show, courtesy of Mother Nature.
13:31It's so incredible that some people in Japan decided to make a natural monument dedicated to this plant.
13:39Mosses aren't just here to make caves look magical.
13:42They're also great homes for some pretty cool critters.
13:45Take the spotted turtles in Ontario, Canada, for example.
13:49When the weather hits with its frosty fury and temperatures drop to insane lows,
13:54these turtles cozy up under a type of moss called smagma.
13:58Thankfully, you don't have to travel to Canada to see these amazing mosses in action.
14:03You can also find them in the UK.
14:06Smagma mosses are like spongy carpets, covering the ground of heaths and marshes.
14:11One study focused on plant evolution also claims moss was the very first plant on Earth.
14:18Well, at least technically.
14:19Back in the day, Earth was like this bare, bald planet with no sign of those lush green locks we're
14:26so accustomed to.
14:27No shrubbery, no trees, not even a smidgen of grass to break the monotony.
14:32Initially, scientists thought that the first plants to venture onto land out of the Earth's waters were a bunch of
14:39simpletons.
14:39However, this piece of research flips the script.
14:43It turns out those early pioneers were far from basic.
14:47They were actually pretty complex.
14:49As it turns out, amidst the barren expanse, these amazing plants, namely mosses, hornworts, and liverworts,
14:57emerged as the true pioneers of plant life on land.
15:01Now, I know what you're thinking.
15:02But wait, aren't liverworts those slimy, squishy things I find in my garden after a rainstorm?
15:08Well, yes, they are.
15:10But don't let their unassuming appearance fool you.
15:14While some consider moss to be a nuisance when it comes to their gardening preferences, it can actually be a
15:20fantastic addition to your outdoor oasis.
15:23The best part about having a mossy garden?
15:25You have complete control over how it looks.
15:28You can grow moss as a surface base, perch it on a ledge, or even attach it to rocks for
15:34that authentic rainforest vibe.
15:36You can also bring the mossy magic indoors by growing it in containers, terrariums, or on green walls.
15:44Now, before you embark on your moss-growing adventure, let's talk about the different types of moss you can use.
15:50We've got acrocarpus moss, a type of moss that grows vertically and has these cute little stems that shoot out
15:57like floral fireworks.
15:58It's delicate, so be careful not to disturb it or step on it.
16:02On the other hand, there's also another type you can use at home, called pleurocarpus moss, which is more like
16:08a fern and spreads wider, like a cozy carpet.
16:11This one can handle a bit of foot traffic and external disruptions.
16:18Why choose moss over other types of plants?
16:21Well, first off, it's low-maintenance.
16:24Say goodbye to those endless hours spent watering and tending to your garden.
16:28It can survive for months without water, and even if it dries up, it usually bounces back on its own.
16:35Unlike other plants that guzzle up water and rely on fertilizers, moss is content with minimal moisture and doesn't need
16:42any chemicals to thrive.
16:44So, not only will you be saving water, but you'll also be preventing harmful substances from seeping into the soil
16:51and wreaking havoc on Mother Nature.
16:53Moss is also a natural air purifier.
16:56When you grow moss indoors, it acts as a biofiltration system.
17:01It absorbs nasty particles, transforms them into clean air, and releases them back into your space.
17:08Now that you're convinced of the mossy wonders, let's talk about timing.
17:12The best moment to grow moss is in the early days of spring.
17:16That's when the sunbeams come in at a lower angle, and the ground is still moist from the winter rains
17:21and snow.
17:22For indoor moss growing, the choice is yours.
17:25Just make sure to provide your moss with some access to sunlight and water, and keep an eye on the
17:31temperature in your space.
17:32It might be a bit tricky, depending on where your house is located or how much sunlight you have available.
17:39But don't worry.
17:40With a little bit of planning and effort, you can create the perfect cozy environment for your indoor moss to
17:46thrive.
17:47And let's not forget about the wonderful world of terrariums.
17:51If you want to create your own mossy miniature landscape, a terrarium is the way to go.
17:56All you need is a glass container, some pebbles, a dash of granulated charcoal, potting soil, and a piece of
18:04mossy carpet.
18:05And finally, remember to stay away from rolling stones.
18:09They gather no, well, you know.
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