The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) presented awards to 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of crop science. The awards recognize achievements in various areas of crop research and education.
Research at the US Department of Agriculture found that no-till farming can reduce yield losses caused by climate change. The study simulated different climate factors on three cropping systems, finding declines in corn and millet yields over time. No-till management helped maintain wheat yields for up to 2075.
Chittaranjan Kole, a Clemson University scientist, has received the Outstanding Crop Scientist Award from the International Crop Science Society for his lifetime and original contributions to crop science. He is recognized for developing crop varieties for functional foods and dietary supplements to combat chronic ailments.
Researchers discovered that two nanomaterials, cerium oxide and zinc oxide, can profoundly alter soil-based food crop quality and yield. The study found that zinc oxide nanoparticles increased the level of zinc in plant tissues, while cerium oxide reduced nitrogen fixation, compromising soil fertility.
Soybeans grown in soil contaminated with zinc oxide or cerium oxide nanoparticles show reduced crop yield and quality. The nanoparticles can accumulate in the plants, affecting food quality and potentially requiring increased use of synthetic fertilizers.
A new technique links agronomic traits in crops with active genomic regions, identifying expressed genes. This allows plant breeders to develop markers based on these genes, accelerating breeding through marker-assisted selection.
A new study reveals that the western corn rootworm's resistance to crop rotation is linked to increased levels of protein-degrading enzymes in its gut. The insects can survive longer on soybeans and cause more damage than their non-resistant counterparts, allowing them to lay eggs in bean fields.
Researchers argue that adopting molecular phenotyping techniques like ionomics and genome-wide association mapping could broaden our understanding of complex interactions in plants. This knowledge could lead to more efficient crop improvement strategies, particularly for adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Researchers have identified prairie cordgrass as a promising alternative to switchgrass for biomass production due to its high yield potential and environmental sustainability. The grass has been found to be well-suited for marginal land, particularly in wet environments, making it an attractive option for conservation efforts.
Biofuels' environmental benefits are overstated due to neglected GHG emissions and flawed Life Cycle Analysis models. The study highlights the omission of CO2 from vehicles using ethanol and biodiesel as a key contributor to this overestimation.
Researchers have developed a detailed genetic sequence and map of foxtail millet, a close relative of switchgrass and an important food crop in Asia. The study provides a powerful tool for scientists working to increase biofuel and crop yields by systematically searching for genes that influence desirable traits.
Researchers are launching a nationwide effort to conserve crop wild relatives in the US, recognizing that these plants have value in adapting food systems to climate change. The plants' genetic material could be used to breed drought-resistant crops, making them essential for global agriculture.
The BGI has completed the genome sequence of foxtail millet, a crop with significant potential for improving yield and stress tolerance. The study provides valuable resources for genetic improvement and functional gene studies at a genome-wide level.
A team led by Janine Sherrier is using Medicago truncatula to study symbiotic relationships between legumes and rhizobia, with potential benefits for crop production and reducing energy-intensive fertilizer production. This research could help lower production costs and environmental impact.
A plant disease normally found in subarctic climates has been identified for the first time in the UK in buttercups as far south as Herefordshire. The fungus, Sclerotinia subarctica, affects both crops and wild plants, with severe effects on carrots but minimal impact on meadow buttercups.
A University of Missouri research team is conducting a two-year study to reclaim developed flood plain land and keep waterways free of pollutants. The project uses 777 willow trees to filter water and potentially produce a cash crop for farmers.
Research suggests that bioenergy crop expansion can harm farmland bird populations like the Skylark. However, integrating small natural areas into landscapes with diverse crop types and maintaining low field sizes may help conserve these species.
The Plant Metabolic Network has launched four new online databases for corn, soybeans, wine grapes, and cassava, providing a comprehensive view of their biochemical pathways. The databases will aid researchers in increasing crop production, developing biofuels, and exploring novel medicines.
Researchers have completed the first high-resolution genetic map of miscanthus, a towering cane-like grass used as an energy crop. The mapping project has provided valuable markers to differentiate individual plants and improve breeding for faster and more efficient production.
Slugs are major crop pests in no-till field crops, with limited management options available. Integrated pest management options, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, are suggested for common mid-Atlantic slug species.
A 28-year study found that wild cereal populations are undergoing dramatic changes due to climate change, including earliness in flowering time and reduced genetic diversity. These changes threaten the best genetic resource for crop improvement and may damage food production.
A study by U of I associate professor Marty Williams found that increasing plant populations can affect crop growth and development, with varying effects among different hybrids. The average optimal plant population for maximizing yield differed by over 9,000 plants per acre among the six tested hybrids.
New research suggests that sunshade geoengineering may actually increase crop yields in most regions, alleviating temperature stress and improving productivity. However, the approach carries risks, including unintended consequences on precipitation and deployment-related conflicts.
Raising seedlings with blue light increases crop yield and quality by boosting phenolic compounds. Studies found that blue light-treated seedlings had higher leaf areas, shoot fresh weight, and antioxidant activity compared to those grown under red or white fluorescent light.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using genomics to improve poplar tree quality as a biofuels feedstock. The goal is to increase bioenergy crop production and reduce dependence on food crops, offering new options for American farmers.
The ICRISAT-led team has completed the genome sequence of pigeonpea, a legume crop grown by millions of poor farmers worldwide. With this breakthrough, scientists can now identify genes for drought tolerance and improve crop productivity, tackling pests and disease constraints in production.
Crop sensors outperformed farmers in choosing nitrogen rates for corn fields, resulting in average yield increases of almost 2 bushels per acre. The technology reduced excess N applied by 25% without harming yields, offering a potential solution to environmental concerns about fertilizer pollution.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered how a barley plant recognizes an invader within five minutes of an attack, triggering its defenses. This breakthrough could lead to new ways to battle crop diseases, potentially defeating evolving threats like Ug99.
Climate change threatens global food security, but new studies suggest that genetic traits in seeds and crop wild relatives can help. Developing heat-tolerant potato varieties could reduce climate-related damage by up to 65% of the world's potato crop.
Researchers aim to overcome fundamental limitations of photosynthesis by improving light capture, sugar production, and molecular structure. Successful projects could lead to significant increases in crop yields for food and bioenergy crops.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles in pigeon crops and found genes involved in cell growth, antioxidant production, and immune response. The study reveals the mechanisms behind pigeon 'milk' production, which is essential for young pigeon squabs.
A new durum wheat line, DGE-1, has been developed with enhanced scab tolerance through the incorporation of a specific wheatgrass chromosome. Researchers used molecular markers to identify and transfer the resistance genes from the added wheatgrass chromosome into related durum wheat chromosomes.
Researchers introduce the 'midway' strategy to produce sustainable ethanol from sugarcane, minimizing impacts on biodiversity. The approach involves biotechnology, genetically improved crops, and policies supporting sustainable land management.
Thrips infestation in cotton seedlings can lead to significant crop injury, including distortion, malformation, and reduced plant growth. Management practices for thrip infestation are discussed in the article.
A study found that expressing nitrous oxide emissions per unit of crop yield, rather than on a more conventional per area basis, produced significantly different results. Emissions were 52% higher under no-till compared to conventional tillage for the same amount of grain.
A new study reveals that organic crop rotation can be more profitable and carry less risk than conventional corn and soybean production, even with reduced price premiums. The research, which analyzed 18 years of data from a University of Minnesota trial, found that organic production was consistently more lucrative over the long term.
The genome of mesopolyploid crop Brassica rapa has been sequenced and analyzed, revealing a gene space covering over 98% and identifying 41,174 protein-coding genes. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary history of polyploid genomes and offers opportunities for genetic improvement of Brassica oil and vegetable crops.
A Michigan State University study shows that converting Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to corn and soybean production creates a significant carbon debt. Growing CRP grasses for cellulosic ethanol instead provides immediate energy and climate benefits, with no carbon debt.
Researchers have developed a method to dissect the genomes of polyploid crops like oilseed rape and bread wheat, allowing for predictive breeding. By integrating sequence data from different sources, they created genetic linkage maps that can identify useful genes and accelerate breeding in new traits.
Research suggests that physics principles may be used to create complex crop-circle patterns, with some teams reproducing damage using handheld magnetrons and microwaves. Crop-circle artists are believed to use invisible construction lines to design their work, dispelling the need for traditional tools.
Researchers at Iowa State University discovered that a perennial cover crop can be used on corn fields to achieve similar yields to traditional farming methods while also improving soil quality and reducing erosion. The study found that using Kentucky bluegrass as the perennial cover crop resulted in yields of over 200 bushels per acre.
Researchers have identified a promising conservation tillage technique called undercutting, which can reduce PM10 emissions by 30-70% compared to conventional tillage. This method creates an aerodynamically rougher soil surface, promoting retention of crop residue and reducing wind erosion.
The study found that self-seeding winter cereal cover crops produced consistent growth using wheat cover crop and mechanical seed dispersal. This technique can lower costs and risks while extending ecological functions of cover crops beyond their normal termination dates.
A new study links increased insecticide use in the US Midwest to landscape change, finding that simplification of agricultural landscapes boosts crop pest pressure. The research suggests that preserving or restoring semi-natural lands can reduce the need for insecticides and contribute to agricultural economies.
A GLBRC study links agricultural landscape simplification to crop pest abundance and increased insecticide use. Perennial bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass and mixed prairie, may mitigate negative effects.
Researchers found that virus-tested foundation seed increases yield, but quality declines when integrated into commercial farms. Seed productivity and quality vary from year to year and location to location.
Researchers identify top biotic constraints affecting soybean production, including aphids, rust, nematodes, and exotic pathogen red leaf blotch. Genetic resources, biosecurity measures, and resistant cultivars are needed to combat these threats.
The PhenologyMMS software predicts plant growth stages based on weather reports and soil moisture, providing farmers with a decision-making tool to optimize crop management. The program covers multiple crops, including corn, wheat, barley, and millet varieties, and can be used independently or integrated into existing models.
Plant hormone ethylene plays a major role in shutting down growth inhibition during mild drought stress. The study shows that plants grow slower when water becomes limiting but can resume growth if the stress is temporary. By targeting this response, crop varieties can be developed to improve productivity and reduce yield losses.
A new study led by Stanford University researchers found that US farmers have largely avoided the impacts of global warming on wheat and corn production. However, with projected temperature increases, it is likely that North American crop yields will eventually be affected.
Algae crop failures cost millions in the emerging green industry, so researchers are seeking solutions. A recent $1 million grant from the USDA will help develop a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP) to prevent zooplankton contamination and promote sustainable algal cultivation.
Climate change increases plant vulnerability to infectious disease, threatening crop yield and food security. Exploiting crop diversity is crucial for improving resilience to pathogens and stresses.
Researchers used X-ray CT scanners to analyze rice plant traits, improving measurement accuracy and reducing costs. This technology aids in selecting plants with the best tillers, crucial for crop success.
Studies by CSIRO and the University of Sydney found that ants and termites can increase wheat crop yields by up to 36% under low tillage conditions. The insects improve soil nitrogen and water infiltration, reducing runoff and evaporation. This breakthrough has significant implications for dryland agriculture in hot and dry climates.
Removing manure solids through a low-cost two-stage lagoon system increases nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, reducing environmental damage. This results in higher crop yields and greater nitrogen recovery compared to using whole manure.
A new method for recycling perlite developed by Louisiana State University researcher Hanna Y. Hanna can save tomato growers a significant amount of money without reducing crop yield. The method, which uses hot water treatment and minimal labor input, reduces recycling cost by up to 50%.
A new study using Africa's historical crop yield data reveals that corn production will decline by at least 20% for 1 degree Celsius of warming under drought conditions. The research also highlights the importance of combining existing knowledge and data from climate and agriculture communities to improve crop forecasting.
The AgroAtlas project aims to promote world food security in Newly Independent States-countries by providing a geographic distribution of crops, diseases, pests, and wild relatives. The interactive website shows the distributions of 100 crops, 640 crop diseases, and 560 wild crop relatives growing in Russia and neighboring countries.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that no-till production systems can significantly reduce soil erosion and enhance efforts to protect water quality. The research compared runoff, soil erosion, and crop yields in conventional and no-till winter wheat-fallow systems.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center developed a corn variety resistant to fungal infection using a naturally found killer protein made by a virus. The single gene approach offers hope for effective solutions to control other pathogenic fungi and reduce crop losses.