A Yale-led study reveals that farmers in the Mississippi River Basin are storing more carbon dioxide in the soil than they are emitting when adding limestone to their fields, a practice known as 'liming'. This finding has major implications for agricultural soil management and suggests that enhanced weathering may deserve renewed atten...
Agricultural Injury Dashboard is an interactive platform developed by U of I researchers to track and analyze ag injuries in the US. The dashboard provides customizable information on agricultural injuries, including cause, type, location, and victim demographics.
Researchers at KRICT developed a method to turn hemp hurd waste into a reinforcing material, improving biodegradable film strength by 26% and reducing moisture and oxygen barrier failures. The technology could be applied to other large-volume agricultural residues, such as soybean stalks and rice straw.
Research reveals that positive electric fields better understand the plant's physiological network, promoting growth and improving photosynthetic efficiency. The study found that +HVEF enhanced stomatal conductance, increased chlorophyll content, and activated key photosynthetic enzymes.
Scientists have assembled the first chromosome-scale genome for the rice stink bug, identifying over 13,000 genes with broad biological and agricultural relevance. The genome provides a foundation for studying the insect's biology, feeding behavior, and potential insecticide resistance.
Researchers developed a graph-based pan-genome for cultivated peanut and used it to breed a higher-yielding dwarf peanut line. The resulting line, LuAi-1, is roughly half the height of the parent variety but yielded around 20% more in field trials.
Researchers found high annual agro-dealer entry and exit rates, more than double typical turnover rates in low-income countries. Optimistic entrepreneurs, educated in agriculture, enter the market with long-term intent but exit due to strong competition.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has appointed José Peiretti as its new row crop precision agriculture management Extension specialist. Peiretti brings 11 years of expertise in precision agriculture to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of technologies for precision planting, nutrient management, and more.
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech is developing a virtual reality course in agricultural engineering to provide rural farmers with hands-on training. The grant aims to give farmers technical skills without leaving their land, reducing costs and improving productivity.
A team of researchers created a fishbone catalyst that efficiently converted waste agricultural film into olefin-rich bio-oil through microwave-assisted pyrolysis. The catalyst achieved a bio-oil yield of 89.32 wt.%, with olefins accounting for 84.03% of the oil and C6–C12 compounds dominating the hydrocarbon fraction.
Researchers found that aging microplastics can increase the binding of fluorinated pesticides like fluensulfone in agricultural soils. The smallest aged particles showed the strongest effects, with 30-35% of retained fluensulfone bound to PVC microplastics.
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
Researchers develop a genome-scale model-guided microbial engineering strategy to convert agricultural waste into biodegradable bioplastics. The approach enables efficient production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from radish hydrolysate, a promising feedstock for sustainable biomanufacturing.
Researchers developed a fishbone-derived catalyst that turns low-density polyethylene agricultural film into olefin-rich liquid products with yields up to 89.32 wt.% and olefin selectivity of 84.03%. The catalyst, combined with phosphoric acid and iron, promotes carbon-carbon bond cleavage and regulates dehydrogenation reactions.
The co-occurrence of biochar and microplastics in agricultural soils can alter soil carbon storage and inflate estimates of carbon sequestration. The review proposes an evidence-tiered measurement framework to accurately evaluate soil carbon storage.
A review examines how lignin, a natural aromatic polymer, can support fertilizers, crop protection, soil improvement, and biodegradable farm materials. Lignin's unique structure-property-performance relationships make it suitable for various agricultural applications.
A new study suggests that shifting U.S. agricultural exports from animal feed to animal-derived foods could reduce global nitrogen loss by 38% and greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. The change could also increase U.S. trade revenue by $10.5 billion, while improving nutrient recycling and manure management.
Researchers from China Agricultural University have discovered the crucial role of two plasma membrane hexose transporters, ZmSWEET6a and ZmSWEET6b, in regulating pollen wall development and maintaining anther redox balance. These findings shed light on how carbohydrate allocation influences reproductive success in plants.
A new study finds that beef and dairy production are the dominant drivers of both carbon loss and biodiversity loss on farmland, accounting for 41% of total biodiversity damage. Targeting these areas could deliver gains for climate and nature simultaneously.
Research reveals microplastics can reduce cadmium's toxic effects on crops by up to 4.5-fold, and moderate oxidative damage and tissue contamination. The study's findings highlight the complexity of assessing agricultural soils contaminated by multiple pollutants.
A recent study reveals that the Pimentel Barbosa Indigenous Territory, home to the Xavante ethnic group, has maintained its environmental configuration amidst agricultural expansion and deforestation. The area, dominated by Cerrado vegetation, has been preserved despite surrounding areas being converted to soybean farming and livestock...
A Yale-led team developed a new process for removing PFAS from agricultural land at a fraction of the current remediation costs. The approach involves spreading crushed rock, which accelerates PFOS removal via plant growth, followed by biochar generation to destroy both PFAS chemicals.
A recent study highlights the role of social relationships in knowledge sharing among farmers and proposes a new way to understand how climate-smart agricultural innovations begin. Trust, mutual support, and close relationships play a fundamental role in enabling knowledge sharing.
Local policies in China's 'Livestock-Free Zones' successfully reduced local carbon emissions, but this achievement was overshadowed by a significantly larger 'policy leakage' effect. A study found that for every unit of carbon reduced locally, approximately 3.14 units of carbon emissions were displaced to neighboring regions.
A University of Bonn study finds that government regulations and financial incentives can significantly improve land quality and mitigate soil degradation. Effective policies also rely on strong government institutions and sufficient funding to monitor compliance and enforce regulations.
Combined exposure to copper and glyphosate causes stronger stress responses in earthworms than individual contaminants. Biochar reduces these effects, improving soil habitability and reducing earthworm response to contamination.
A new study suggests that adopting a flexitarian Planetary Health Diet could prevent around 15 million premature adult deaths per year. The transformation scenario projects a 9% reduction in global agricultural land use and a 60% decrease in livestock production value by 2050.
Research by Cornell University found that China's efforts to improve water quality led to a 58% drop in agricultural value added and reduced hiring of agricultural workers in upstream counties
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has discovered a group of genetically stable viruses that infect an important plant pathogen. The findings suggest that these viruses could be used as tools to fight crop disease, and highlight the need for further research into viral diversity and evolution in agricultural set...
A new study found that soil acidity, nutrient conditions, and microbial function significantly impact nitrous oxide emissions. Fluvo-aquic soil consistently produced the lowest proportion of nitrous oxide, while red soil displayed limited denitrification potential due to its acidic conditions.
Living labs in agricultural, food and nutrition research facilitate stakeholder collaboration to identify problems and develop solutions. Long-term funding perspectives are essential for efficient and successful research.
A study from Huazhong Agricultural University sheds light on the intricate processes of microbial activity and geological structures beneath our feet. The team's work illustrates how bacterial EPS contributes to SOM persistence, a process crucial for maintaining soil health and securing long-term carbon storage.
Scientists developed a new population model, APODEMUS, to predict pesticide effects on animal populations. The model simulates complex agricultural landscapes and foraging scenarios, tracking energy conversion and exposure to pesticides.
Researchers developed a waste-to-resource strategy using agricultural biomass to break down polyethylene microplastics. Walnut shell-derived biochar improved the photodegradation of TiO2, reducing microplastic particles by 70 micrometers in 40 hours.
A new genome assembly provides insights into the genetic system behind oregano's valuable oil, revealing a JA-inducible transcription factor that directly regulates EO biosynthesis. The study identifies OvbHLH13 as a molecular target for improving EO yield and quality in Greek oregano.
A new study identifies CsYP as a key regulator of cucumber peel color by shaping chloroplast development and pigment accumulation. The findings show that disruption of CsYP damages chloroplast structure, reducing chlorophyll and carotenoid levels and producing yellow fruit peel.
A survey of nearly 1,000 Americans found that information-based policies on ultra-processed foods are widely supported. Restriction-based policies, such as limiting UPFs in schools, also gained majority support. However, taxation of UPFs was the only policy that did not achieve majority support.
Andrew Muhammad, professor at University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, receives R.J. Hildreth Public Policy Award for his research and outreach in trade analysis and agricultural commodities. He is recognized for his career achievements in government service and education.
A new study transforms agricultural waste from lavender straw into a highly sensitive biochar-based sensor for ethylene glycol detection. The sensor material exhibits exceptional room-temperature performance, a low detection limit of 0.36 ppm, and long-term stability.
A deadly hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship has sparked global alarm, but new research highlights the overlooked risk of agricultural and wildlife farming environments. The study calls for a One Health approach to protect agricultural workers worldwide from this preventable occupational risk.
A new model developed by KAIST reveals that a shortage of agricultural workforce can limit farmland utilization in most regions, posing a significant risk to future food security. The study's findings suggest that sustainable development models and migration policies are crucial to addressing this issue.
A new global analysis suggests that biochar's ability to store carbon in agricultural soils may be overestimated due to increased carbon dioxide emissions from warming. The study found that warming significantly increased CO2 emissions from biochar-amended soils by an average of 77%, with effects strongest in croplands.
A new study by Agbonma Onyeka and colleagues demonstrates that Lentinus squarrosulus can be cultivated using locally available agricultural waste, reducing waste management issues and creating a safer alternative protein source. The researchers successfully grew the mushroom on different sawdust species types, producing edible biomass ...
A new study found that biochar can lower the temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soil but increase it in forest soil. Researchers tested different soils and biochar treatments and found that temperature was the dominant driver of nitrous oxide emissions, while biochar acted as a secondary modulator.
A team of scientists has produced two complete telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies for cowpea, providing a stronger genomic foundation for research and trait discovery. The study reveals previously unannotated centromeric genes and chromosome regions linked to subspecies divergence.
A team of researchers developed a method for creating realistic virtual tomato farms that automatically generate data for training agricultural AI systems. The approach uses advanced reconstruction methods and Unreal Engine 5 software to reproduce lighting, textures, and geometry, resulting in highly accurate object detection models.
Researchers found that hydrochar improves soil structure while increasing soil organic carbon, with different feedstocks showing varying benefits. The study suggests hydrochar could become a customizable amendment for climate-smart soil management.
Agricultural science educators in Tennessee and Nebraska benefit from professional development programs to create VR content and lessons. The programs aim to improve agricultural literacy and increase student interest in these careers through experiential learning.
A new study examines farmer risk preferences when dealing with climate impacts, finding that attitudes toward uncertainty vary widely among farmers. The researchers suggest that different types of programs or policies could be targeted to each group, depending on their level of risk aversion and management decisions.
Researchers discovered that agricultural azoles induce cross-resistance to medical antifungals in Candida tropicalis by forming aneuploid karyotypes. This study highlights the critical role of agricultural azoles in clinical antifungal resistance and underscores the need for antifungal stewardship.
A natural extract from Pseudozyma aphidis fungus boosts production and improves quality of crops like tomatoes and melons. The approach provides a sustainable alternative to traditional agricultural inputs, supporting global food security without environmental harm.
A new study examined the capacity of specially designed biochar pellets to absorb and release phosphorus under real-world conditions. The researchers found that while the pellets absorbed phosphorus as expected in laboratory settings, they performed poorly when exposed to agricultural wastewater, which contained competing ions and micr...
Soil animal communities exhibit greater trophic diversity in agricultural systems and tropical regions, driven by resource limitation and disturbance. This flexibility helps maintain soil functions but may reflect the loss of specialized species.
A new study warns that land-use changes in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts could reduce the region's ability to store carbon, with measurable environmental and economic consequences by 2043. The study found that deep forest cover has declined while built-up areas, agricultural land, and scattered trees have expanded.
A study found that combining organic and mineral fertilizers reduces nitrogen and phosphorus losses by 2.7 kg·ha<sup>–1</sup> and 21%, respectively. The 4R nutrient management principle provides a direction for optimizing fertilization technology.
A new study uses a process-based model to predict biochar's effectiveness in various agricultural systems worldwide. The research highlights that biochar can improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but its benefits vary depending on climate, soil conditions, and management practices.
Researchers estimate that recarbonizing one-third of Brazil's agricultural land could meet the country's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. Sustainable practices like crop rotation and no-till farming can increase soil carbon storage, with potential increases of up to 15.3% in some biomes.
A study by Griffith University found microplastics and nanoplastics reduced plant growth and entered plant tissues through soil, raising concerns about food safety. Fibre-shaped plastics had the most effects on plant growth, with nanoparticles transported within plants.
Researchers found that Tennessee wine buyers are willing to pay more for wines featuring the state's Quality Assurance Program (QAP) label and those sourced from American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Consumers also prefer higher-alcohol content wines. The study aims to improve the quality of Tennessee wines and promote the industry.
AEM expands its scope to cover the full breadth of modelling in agricultural and environmental sciences, introducing a structured range of article types for formal recognition. The journal applies FAIR principles to data, code, and models, requiring open access and reproducibility.