Scientists have developed a new oilseed crop that is more resistant to heat, drought, and diseases than oilseed rape. The breakthrough technology keeps bitter defense compounds out of the seeds while maintaining them in the rest of the plant, enabling cultivation in areas previously unsuitable for oilseed crops.
A recent study published in Phytobiomes found that the use of cereal rye as a cover crop can lead to elevated disease risk in corn. Researchers isolated and characterized oomycetes, including Pythium species, which were associated with cereal rye roots and passed on to corn seedlings.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $11 million in funding to support the development of safe and effective pest management solutions for specialty crops. This investment aims to improve practices and profits for producers, addressing key challenges such as childhood obesity and rural economic growth.
Researchers from VIB-UGent discovered a gene named PLA1 that significantly increases plant growth and seed yield in maize. This discovery can boost crop production in extreme weather conditions and offer harvest security even in a changing climate.
Researchers are using wild relatives to breed more resilient sunflower varieties, reducing the impact of diseases, weeds, and insects. The study highlights the importance of annotating genetic information in wild relative collections to preserve traits for future use.
Researchers found that letting cover crops grow longer produces the best results in suppressing weeds while also retaining soil moisture. The optimal timing is crucial, as over-flattening can lead to unwanted seed production, while under-flattening may regrow the cover crop.
The agricultural robot is a semiautonomous system that gathers and transmits real-time data on crop growth and development. It uses various sensors and cameras to capture phenotypic information and assess environmental conditions, enabling crop breeders to make actionable decisions and improve yields.
Researchers explored growing cool season crops in California, finding canola achieved high yields and seed oil content, while camelina displayed greater cold and drought tolerance. The study recommends further research on more varieties of both crops for optimal growing conditions.
New research suggests agriculture's food demand will likely increase by 25-70%, challenging the widely accepted doubling of global crop and animal production. To meet growing food demands while protecting the environment, researchers propose quantitative targets for both food production and environmental impacts.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a key to increasing crop diversity by manipulating plant sex through the HEI10 gene. This breakthrough has significant implications for introducing novel disease resistance genes into elite crop varieties, addressing a major limitation in crop improvement.
The study reveals wild bees are disappearing in US farmlands, including California, the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, threatening crop production. The 'trouble zone' counties face a potential mismatch between rising demand for pollination and falling supply of wild bees, highlighting the need for habitat restoration efforts.
Researchers found that snap bean yields were not significantly affected by no-till cover crops, despite the benefits of weed suppression. The study suggests that timing and management techniques are crucial for successful integration of cover crops into vegetable production systems.
Scientifics found that lower leaves of corn and Miscanthus are less efficient in low light, leading to a 10% loss in potential yield. This 'Achilles' heel' likely applies to other C4 crops, such as sugarcane and sorghum.
A comprehensive computer simulation study confirms that climate change will substantially damage US crop yields, especially wheat, maize, and soybean. Increasing irrigation in regions with sufficient water can help mitigate the effects of global warming on crops.
A new study found that increased levels of soluble phosphorus in rivers entering Lake Erie may be linked to conservation measures, despite their success in reducing soil erosion and nutrient losses. The research highlights the need for adaptive management approaches to tackle both soluble and particulate phosphorus losses from farmland.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a perennial grain species, Salish Blue, which combines wheat and wheatgrass. This new crop has the potential to improve soil health, reduce waste, and provide sustainable food options for the Pacific Northwest.
The automotive industry is shifting towards more frequent model changes and smaller volumes, requiring increased flexibility in production. Researchers are using 3D scans to generate virtual three-dimensional images of production facilities, simulating how to convert lines for new models.
Researchers at the Earlham Institute have developed a new method for improving wheat crop yield quality using bioinformatics tools. The w2rap pipeline enables robust and efficient genome assembly, which will aid in precision breeding and increase global food security.
Researchers have developed a revolutionary new crop protection technique using gene-silencing technology and nanotechnology to protect plants against pests and diseases. The BioClay spray has been shown to give plants virus protection for at least 20 days following a single application.
Researchers have created an open-source database to facilitate bioenergy research, confirming Miscanthus as the top US bioenergy crop. The database, BETYdb, contains over 40,000 records of yield data for various biomass crops, revealing that Miscanthus is 2.4 times more productive than switchgrass under different environmental conditions.
Researchers found that pairing cool-season cash crops like onion, broccoli, and lettuce with warm-season cover crops can alleviate challenges in midscale organic production. The study suggests that these rotations can produce high-value certified organic vegetables while maintaining soil organic carbon.
A genetic library of cowpea varieties is being developed to improve crop resilience and yield. The library, which contains 6,000 samples, will help crop scientists make informed decisions using genetic information.
A new, fully-automated rainout shelter has been developed to enable precise testing of crop varieties for their tolerances to water stress. The shelters use a portable solar power system and customizable features like rain sensors and surveillance cameras.
Researchers developed a crop model to predict optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn, improving accuracy and reducing losses. The model can assist with nitrogen management and mitigate environmental concerns.
The VIRCA Plus consortium aims to improve agricultural productivity and enhance nutrition for smallholder households in East and West Africa by developing disease-resistant and nutritionally-enhanced cassava varieties. The project will address challenges such as plant viral diseases, which can destroy up to 100% of a cassava crop yield.
Researchers at the University of York discovered a 'chemical factory' in plant glandular trichomes that can produce toxic chemicals without protein intervention. This process could enable commercial production of various products, including anti-malarial drugs, natural sweeteners, and compounds for food crop production.
A study found that medium and high crop loads resulted in higher total polyphenol content in cider. Meanwhile, low crop loads led to lower yeast-assimilable nitrogen concentrations in apple juice. These findings suggest optimal management strategies for orchard managers to improve cider quality.
A new doctoral training collaboration between Warwick and Waitrose aims to develop graduate students who can address the need for a more secure and sustainable food system. The programme will provide PhD students with industry training and expertise in agriculture and sustainable crop production.
A team of scientists has developed an equation to measure soil physical quality, which can help determine the best use of a particular soil. The research, led by Robson Armindo, found that this approach can save time and money in crop production.
Modern soybean crops produce too many leaves, wasting resources like water and carbon. By reducing leaf area, researchers found an 8% increase in seed yield through increased photosynthesis and decreased respiration. The study aims to optimize crop structure for higher yields without compromising water efficiency.
Researchers developed a method to increase plant productivity by boosting levels of three proteins involved in photosynthesis. In field trials, modified tobacco plants showed increases of 14-20% in productivity. The study confirms that improving photosynthesis can lead to higher crop yields.
Plant biologists have increased crop productivity by modifying genes involved in photoprotection, allowing for more efficient use of sunlight. The study shows a 14-20% increase in modified tobacco plants, which could be applied to other crops like rice.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that certain weeds, like milkweed, can be beneficial to crops and the environment. By incorporating these weeds into agricultural systems, farmers may reduce their reliance on pesticides and herbicides, while also supporting biodiversity and pollinator health.
The PheNode, a solar-powered environmental sensor and phenotyping station, continuously monitors field crops for growth rate, stem diameter, height, and more. It provides crucial information for crop improvement and precision agriculture, helping growers make better decisions to manage their crops and reduce environmental footprint.
A recent Tansley Review found that cassava yields have stagnated since 1961, with potential for 25-100% improvements in yield, water, and fertilizer use efficiency. Researchers highlight the importance of improving photosynthesis to increase sustainable food productivity.
A VIB and Ghent University research team has identified key genes that enable plants to respond to drought stress. These core genes play a pivotal role in a plant's defense mechanism against drought, allowing for advanced breeding and genome engineering efforts to create drought-tolerant crop plants.
Researchers found specific hemp cultivars, such as Ferimon, Anka, and Jutta, consistently produced high yields of biomass and seeds in eastern Canada. The study provides valuable information on adapting industrial hemp to the region's wetter conditions.
Research suggests that increasing plant diversity can limit the nutrient supply for insect pests, reducing their populations. By introducing different genotypes of the same crop species with varying nutrient levels, farmers may be able to control insects while maintaining consistent production.
A new study published in Nature found that plant diversity can suppress insect pests by being variable, not just low quality on average. Researchers discovered that bugs have narrow ranges of nutrient levels where they flourish, making it easier to control pests.
Researchers at USDA-Agricultural Research Service found that using less chicken litter than needed for maximum crop yields can increase farmer profits. The study aimed to calculate the optimal amount of chicken litter for cotton crops to balance yield and profitability.
Researchers found that planting a multi-species mixture of cover crops increases ecosystem services, including weed suppression, nitrogen retention, and aboveground biomass. The study suggests that designing cover-crop mixes can lead to greater multifunctionality in agroecosystems.
Researchers find using heat-tolerant sorghum varieties can increase crop yield under higher temperatures, but late sowing and collecting rainfall show minimal benefits. The study suggests a novel framework to assess the effectiveness of different adaptation options for West African farmers.
Max Frenzel estimates that the annual global production of gallium and germanium could be at least 7 times higher than it is currently. Gallium production could reach 2,900 tonnes per year, while current production is 440 tonnes, and germanium production could reach 1,200 tonnes.
A study found that geothermal energy production in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field increased the background seismicity rate, but not in other areas. The researchers used advanced models and earthquake data to analyze the connection between geothermal production and seismic activity.
US soybean crop is under threat from the kudzu bug, but research has found that some wild relatives of soybeans have developed resistance to the pest. These adapted plants have built defense mechanisms against pests, including limiting the ability of nymphs to survive.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $36.5 million to support research and extension projects in specialty crop production. These projects focus on improving crop yields, addressing food safety concerns, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers are using multidisciplinary approaches to genetically improve disease resistance, flooding tolerance, and cell wall composition in sorghum. This work aims to maximize the usefulness of sorghum as a bioenergy crop while minimizing input requirements.
Researchers found that incorporating an unfertilized winter wheat cover crop into annual crop rotations can significantly reduce nitrogen and phosphorus lost from row crops, enhancing downstream water quality. The strategy may also help alleviate the Mississippi River's nutrient load contributing to the Gulf Dead Zone.
Researchers from the University of Missouri suggest farmers use buffers between crops and trees to reduce soil runoff, while maintaining good growing conditions. The study found that utilizing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land strategically creates effective buffers.
A new study reveals that changes in Antarctic coastal polynyas are driven by variations in surrounding ice, including ice shelves and glaciers. Sea ice production decreases during major events like ice shelf collapse and increases when off-shore first-year ice is reduced.
A Japanese research team has discovered four new genes in rice that could significantly improve crop breeding and help address global food shortages. The newly identified genes, found through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), influence traits such as flowering date, panicle number, and grain yield.
A new study reveals that the type of soil used in agricultural models can significantly impact yield projections, particularly in regions with limited fertilizer or irrigation. This uncertainty highlights the need for improved soil observations to better adapt to climate change impacts on food production.
Experts warn that crop yields will decline within a decade unless new and improved varieties are developed and adopted by farmers immediately. The research highlights the impact of temperature increases on crop duration, which can lead to reduced biomass and yield.
CropQuant uses Raspberry Pi computers to control infield cameras capturing crop growth images, then analyzes data on high-performance computers to link environmental data with crop traits. This enables scientists to reduce farming costs and improve crop yields through field-based phenotyping methods.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that increasing pollinator diversity can dramatically increase cotton production, with a potential boost of up to 18% in South Texas. This could lead to an increase in annual revenue for Texas cotton farmers of over $1.1 million.
A study by Purdue University reveals that honeybees collect pollen from non-crop plants contaminated with a wide range of pesticides, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. The researchers found that bees are chronically exposed to these chemicals throughout the growing season.
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is training the next generation of rice breeders in Vietnam in advanced bioinformatics and genomics. The programme aims to characterise genetic diversity in Vietnamese native rice lines to accelerate crop breeding and improve yields, addressing climate change threats such as drought and rising sea levels
Researchers are breeding barley to make it more resistant to drought and heat, helping farmers avoid yield loss due to climate change. By identifying key molecular switches, they aim to create crops that can efficiently manage water under extreme weather conditions.
The carrot genome study sheds light on its domestication history and reveals new insights into the accumulation of carotenoids. Researchers found a new gene responsible for this process, which was likely inadvertently selected for by early growers.
A CSU-led team has identified strategies to improve global food accessibility while reducing agriculture's environmental impacts. The study highlights the importance of integrated food system approaches, such as increasing legumes in crop production practices and improving women's access to resources.