A NASA study finds that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations can increase crop yields by boosting photosynthesis and reducing transpiration, but this effect varies regionally. Some crops like wheat and rice benefit from higher CO2 levels, while others like maize may experience yield losses.
Researchers found that snails choose seedlings based on dislike for naturally-omitted scents rather than taste. This discovery suggests harnessing these chemicals could provide an eco-friendly solution to protect crop seedlings from pests.
A study by Stephen Smith found that intellectual property protection encourages crop improvement, benefiting both breeders and society. The research linked optimal genetic innovation with increased economic welfare, health, and nutrition for consumers.
Researchers at 2Blades Foundation have isolated novel disease resistance genes and successfully transferred them into wheat, soybean and potato to combat diseases such as wheat stem rust, Asian soybean rust and late blight of potato. These breakthroughs aim to provide durable genetic resistances to protect crops from devastating losses.
A team of researchers has sequenced the cassava genome to identify genetic diversity and improve breeding strategies. The study reveals that past breeding programs have reduced genetic diversity in Africa, affecting crop yields.
A new approach detects shifts in genetic diversity when crops hybridize with wild plants, highlighting the risk of losing rare alleles and altering evolutionary trajectories. This method could improve conservation efforts by identifying areas where crop gene escape is most prevalent.
Field studies show that automated thinners increase plant size and uniformity, leading to larger plant and heart weight compared to hand-thinning methods. The technology optimizes in-row spacing, allowing growers to increase crop yields.
Researchers are one step away from starvation due to increased global food demand and climate change. They are developing a method to engineer crops that can increase photosynthesis under high CO2 and temperature conditions.
New research reveals significant gaps in the world's genebanks for crop wild relatives (CWR), which possess valuable genetic diversity to adapt to climate change. CWR of vital staples like rice, wheat, and potato are under threat due to urbanization, pollution, deforestation, and war.
A sustainable farming initiative is launched at Conaway Ranch in California, leveraging Israel's water technology expertise to reduce rice-crop water use. The project aims to improve yield and reduce fertilizers and weed control using subsurface drip irrigation.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers demonstrates that biodiesel produced from sugarcane can be more economical than soybean-based biodiesel. With sugarcane producing up to 12% oil, it offers a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
The Crop Science Society of America is sending graduate students to Zambia to learn about dry bean research and increase international knowledge of this important crop. The PanAfrican Grain Legume Conference and World Cowpea Conference will focus on pulses, dry beans, peas, and lentils.
A new study suggests that optimized rain use and irrigation can increase crop yields globally, particularly in water-scarce regions like China, Australia, and Mexico. This approach to crop water management could make a crucial contribution to filling the plates of the poor and increasing climate resilience for smallholders.
Rising temperatures and extreme weather events will negatively impact global crop production, leading to higher food prices and scarcity. Global markets with the ability to deliver food where it's needed most can help counterbalance these effects. Trade agreements can significantly moderate the worst effects on food security.
The study proposes adaptive control techniques to manage pests, which can help reduce crop losses due to pest control. The approach tolerates uncertainty in pest dynamics, making it suitable for developing better models or adopting design approaches that tolerate the likely level of uncertainty.
A team of researchers is urging increased spending on agricultural research in the Midwest to address climate change impacts. The proposed network would gather data on crop performance and management practices across the region to improve crops' adaptation to high temperatures, carbon dioxide, ozone, pests, and disease.
Weed blasting, a new control method for organic farmers, has been shown to be surprisingly effective in reducing final weed biomass by 69-97% compared to non-weeded control plots. The method involves blasting weed seedlings with tiny fragments of organic grit using an air compressor.
African smallholder farmers purchase over half of their seeds annually through local markets and informal sources. Local legume markets are particularly important, accounting for 64% of seed transactions. The study highlights the need to expand high-quality seed delivery to smallholder farmers through formal and informal channels.
The Danforth Center is collaborating with the University of Illinois to identify genetic variants impacting photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake in maize. This project aims to improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer usage, offering economic and environmental benefits.
Researchers tested eggplant irrigation rates and found that moderate watering can reduce nitrogen leaching and maintain fruit yields. The study suggests a potential to lower current irrigation rates without negatively impacting crop performance.
A new study published in Nature found that droughts and extreme heat reduced global cereal harvests by an average of 9-10% between 1964 and 2007. The impact was greatest in North America, Europe, and Australasia, where production levels dropped by 19.9%.
A recent study found that faba beans can increase soil nitrogen and carbon levels, providing long-term benefits for farmers. The research suggests that growers should adjust their fertilizer recommendations to account for the slow-release nitrogen in pulse crops.
A new study led by McGill University and the University of British Columbia found that droughts have a significant impact on cereal crop production, particularly in developed nations. The research analyzed data from 177 countries and found that global production lost to extreme weather events averaged around 9-10%.
The US has identified key agricultural regions at high risk for wild bee decline, which could destabilize crop production. The study suggests 39% of croplands face a pollinator shortage, with the Midwest's corn belt and California's Central Valley particularly affected.
The Danish berry industry is adopting more sustainable practices, including organic farming, to increase competitiveness and profitability. The project aims to expand organic blackcurrant and sour cherry production, while developing high-value products such as cherry wine and gourmet juices.
Researchers warn of declining crop production in the US Midwest, with global implications, and propose a coordinated field research network to gather precise data on crop performance and management practices.
Researchers found biochar produced from tomato crop green waste can be used as a substrate for soilless hydroponic tomato production. The study showed that tomatoes grown in biochar-based substrates had similar growth, yield, and fruit quality to those in pine sawdust.
Scientists evaluated nine spring and six fall crop cultivars for suitability as baby-leaf salad greens in the Pacific Northwest. Pak choi 'Joi Choi' and Mustard 'Komatsuna' showed high marketable weight, quick harvest time, and good weed competitiveness.
New research shows ancient millet played a key role in the development of multi-crop agriculture, leading to the rise of settled societies. Millet was carried across Eurasia by shepherds and herders, who combined it with other crops to create 'multi-cropping' systems.
The University of Illinois aims to increase the water use efficiency of sorghum by reducing transpiration through stomata and shifting photosynthetic activity. The project predicts a 40% improvement in water use efficiency, unlocking over 9 million new acres for energy crop production.
A recent study led by the University of Queensland found that non-bee insect pollinators, such as flies and butterflies, are crucial for crop pollination. These insects performed 25-50% of total flower visits and provided similar pollination services to bees.
The red clover genome provides a valuable tool for improving the beneficial traits of this important forage crop, including its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide protein-rich livestock feed. The genome assembly will pave the way towards genomics-assisted breeding methods for forage legumes.
A study suggests that increasing nitrogen use efficiency globally can improve crop yields while reducing nitrous oxide emissions and other forms of nitrogen pollution. Researchers propose specific targets for different regions to achieve a global average nitrogen use efficiency of 70% by 2050.
The project aims to enhance wheat crop yields by understanding the genetic basis of more efficient photosynthesis. By combining diverse expertise and next-generation DNA sequencing, researchers will identify key genes responsible for improved crop performance.
A new study reveals that ground-level ozone has been reducing crop yields of maize and soybeans by 5% and 10%, respectively, over the last 30 years. The researchers calculated an annual loss of $9 billion due to ozone damage, highlighting the need for upgraded emissions regulations.
New studies on shale oil production have found that it generates greenhouse gas emissions at levels comparable to traditional crude oil production. The research analyzed the Eagle Ford and Bakken plays in Texas and North Dakota, respectively, and used a life-cycle model to estimate energy consumption and emissions.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a technology using peptide mimics to combat parasitic nematodes, which infect crop plants and reduce yields by up to 50%. The project aims to protect crops like banana and plantain, grown by smallholders in developing countries.
Researchers found that mixtures of cereal rye and hairy vetch can effectively control weeds and conserve soil moisture. Adding poultry litter increased decomposition and nitrogen release when the cover crop contained at least 50% cereal rye.
A sweeping study by Kansas State University reveals a decline in crop diversity across the US over the past 34 years, with significant regional variations. The research highlights the potential consequences of this trend on agroecosystem function and food system sustainability.
Research from UNH shows that crop rotations can increase soil microbial functions, improving plant growth and soil health. By increasing rotational diversity, farmers can promote agroecosystem sustainability and mitigate threats to food security and environmental quality.
A new study by TUM scientists links climate change to declining crop yields and humus stocks in arable soils. The researchers found that the stagnation in yields coincides with a decline in organic matter input into the soil, leading to a depletion of humus.
Researchers have identified the 'wake-up protein' responsible for germination of Striga seeds using a fluorescent probe, accelerating research to control Striga growth and prevent crop losses worth billions of dollars annually. The study reveals that Striga detects host crops through strigolactone receptors, leading to a devastating im...
A new project aims to characterise the genetic diversity of traditional Vietnamese rice varieties using genomic markers for disease resistance and salt tolerance. Bioinformatics capacity will be built in Vietnam through training workshops and data sharing.
A University of Exeter review highlights the dangers of relying on climate-based projections for crop pest distributions. Crop pests like the Colorado potato beetle have evolved rapidly to evade predictions, making it challenging to predict their future spread.
Researchers found that strip-till farming increased soil organic matter content by 8.6% after five years compared to no-till methods. This resulted in reduced bulk density and penetration resistance, creating a more favorable environment for crop growth.
Recent studies published in Journal of Animal Science explore ways to boost beef and dairy production using marginal lands and fibrous byproducts. Benefits include reduced costs, improved ecological balance, and opportunities for new producers to enter the market.
Researchers aim to improve crop productivity by optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, a process that has plateaued due to its inefficiency. Designs include smart canopies with layered plants and tailored light-absorbing pigments to minimize light saturation and maximize energy use.
Scientists found that wheat pathogen causing yellow rust epidemics in Europe originated in the center of diversity in the Himalayan region. This can lead to significant impact on wheat production, especially organic farming in Denmark. Resistant crop varieties are crucial for disease management.
A new study using genomics to match plant varieties with climate stresses shows promise for increasing crop resilience. Researchers mapped genomic signatures of adaptation in sorghum varieties, identifying those that thrive under drought or toxic soils.
The University of Illinois will lead a $3.1 million project to develop all-terrain automated ground rovers for high-throughput field phenotyping. These rovers will measure crop growth using 3-D reconstruction and various sensors, enabling faster breeding of energy sorghum and other bioenergy crops.
Researchers are using alternative breeding methods to increase switchgrass's biomass yield, ethanol production, and reduce lignin content. The study utilizes the Smith-Hazel Selection Index to select for multiple traits simultaneously, aiming to speed up the breeding process and achieve more ideal switchgrass by 2025.
A recent study reveals that a regulatory gene called NAC016 plays a crucial role in turning off drought-response pathways in plants. This discovery offers new insights into how to develop drought-tolerant crop plants through conventional breeding or biotechnological approaches.
The Plant & Microbial Genomics Group at TGAC has been awarded £100k to investigate the sources of sugar beet infection by Erysiphe betae. The research aims to design genetic markers for a rapid detection technology and develop diagnostic tests to inform disease management strategy.
Researchers found that western corn rootworm beetles develop resistance to crop rotation through gene expression changes in their guts, involving immune regulation and antimicrobial functions. The study sheds light on the complex interplay of forces behind rotation resistance and could help develop more sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers found that relay-cropping camelina with soybean uses less water than traditional double-cropping methods. This approach also yields higher soybean crops due to a longer growing season, benefiting pollinators and soil carbon content.
A new study found that genetically modified corn's Cry1Ab toxin has little impact on the corn earworm, contradicting earlier predictions. The results suggest that pest resistance to GM crops may be more widespread than initially thought, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and research.
Researchers explore using vegetable crops in bioenergy feedstock double-cropping systems, finding comparable yields and higher farm gate values than traditional pumpkin production. The study suggests potential for contributing to both food and fuel production goals.
A US research team has identified promising edamame lines for commercial production in the Midwest, with improvements needed to overcome challenges such as poor seed germination and emergence. The study suggests that edamame plants can grow quicker than grain-type soybean, but require shorter plant sizes for efficient mechanical harvest.
Recent research showed that replacing chemical fertilizer with organic manure significantly decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming improved crop yields while reversing the agriculture ecosystem's role as a carbon source, becoming a carbon sink.
A novel online tool, PolyMarker, has been developed to automate primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing turnaround time. This innovation enables the identification of genetic markers associated with desirable traits in crops, such as high yield or disease resistance.