Reduced tillage can increase weed populations, particularly perennial species like Canada thistle and bindweed, which are difficult to control. Integrated systems that include on-site or locally sourced manure can improve the economics of organic production.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis anthropologist Glenn Stone suggests that genetically modified Bt cotton seeds may have overemphasized crop yield gains, potentially harming sustainable farm management. The research found a modest rise in crop yields despite decreased pesticide sprayings.
A study analyzed five long-term experiments to predict effects of no tillage management on soil organic carbon. Harvesting substantial crop residues without added carbon would deplete soil organic carbon and increase pollution risks.
Two Agave species have yielded significantly more than other biofuel crops in independent studies, making them a promising alternative for global energy needs. The crop's potential to thrive in semi-arid regions without significant land demands offers a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production method.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research and ICARDA developed a method to account for spatial trend in single crop field trials, improving accuracy on line performance estimates. The new approach can significantly enhance precision in estimating crop yield and characteristics.
A study investigated willow cut-stem producers' profiles, production practices and market value. Most growers sought to expand acreage and extend seasonal markets, with some citing limited scientific knowledge of the crop.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment option for dialysis-related anemia using FG-2216, which increases erythropoietin (EPO) production in both healthy individuals and patients with end-stage renal disease. The study's findings suggest that the kidneys of dialysis patients retain significant EPO production capacity.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that single-cropping sorghum grass yields more ethanol than double-cropping systems. The study suggests using sorghum as a sole crop could meet up to 25% of the US energy needs, surpassing corn-based fuels.
The new system will provide more accurate loss adjustment, better policy service, and lower costs to taxpayers. It will consider multiple factors such as weather, location, elevation, and other issues for precise analysis.
Researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of 100 years of farming on claypan soils in Missouri, finding a significant increase in herbicide runoff and decline in crop yields. The study provides insights for farmers, policymakers, and conservation agents to make informed decisions about best practices.
Researchers investigated how GMO gene flow impacts sorghum-shattercane wild-crop hybrids. The study found that the hybrids outperformed their parents in terms of growth and competitiveness, but produced fewer seeds.
The University of Illinois is developing guidelines for increasing environmental, social, and economic sustainability in ornamental crop production systems. Biocontainers made from plant-based materials are being evaluated for their potential to reduce waste and improve plant growth.
A new study by the University of Leeds predicts that climate change will lead to more frequent and severe crop failures globally. However, the researchers suggest that adopting new crops that are more resilient to heat and water stress, combined with improved farming practices, can help mitigate these effects.
A new study finds that crop productivity improvements and carbon emission limits can work together to prevent tropical deforestation over the next 100 years. The research suggests that increasing crop yields while implementing economic incentives to store carbon in forests can help preserve tropical forests and even increase their extent.
A new study by University of Notre Dame ecologist Jennifer Tank and colleagues found that streams throughout the Midwest receive transgenic materials from corn crop byproducts six months after harvest. The research detected Cry1Ab insecticidal protein in 13% of stream sites and dissolved in 23% of water samples.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold on crops in sub-Saharan Africa. By manipulating strigolactone production, they aim to reduce the parasite's ability to kill crops.
A University of Arizona-led consortium aims to create next-generation varities of rice that can withstand drought and poorer soils. The project will study the genes of wild rice species and identify those that could improve crop yields, providing a 'toolkit of genes' for enhanced food security.
The study found significant variation in root systems among various corn genotypes, with regions in the maize genome responsible for inheritance. The team developed innovative technology to analyze root complexity using fractal dimensions and statistical software, allowing them to correlate differences with genetic makeup.
Researchers find that crop yields are unlikely to meet future demands due to climate change, and that elevated carbon dioxide levels result in only half the expected yield increase. SoyFACE facility is conducting novel studies on this topic using open-field environments.
A new report found that high-yield crop varieties developed during the Green Revolution have helped keep greenhouse gas emissions at bay, avoiding nearly 600 billion tons of CO2. The study estimated that agricultural research has averted carbon dioxide emissions at a cost of about $4 per ton of CO2.
A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.
Researchers are developing methods to protect cacao crops from devastating plant pathogens, targeting two mechanisms critical for pathogen attack. The project aims to improve crop resilience and provide nutrition and income options for smallholder farmers in developing countries.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found Sudangrass to be an effective solution for controlling Canada thistle, with a 95% control rate in test plots. The smother crop can be mowed and left as a surface mulch or grazed, making it suitable for both organic and conventional farmers.
Atrazine is the single most widely used herbicide in sweet corn, accounting for only 9% of total weed management costs. The study found that phasing out atrazine would burden growers with particularly weedy fields and early season crop production.
A new calculator program helps farmers estimate crop yields and irrigation needs in semi-arid regions. The MultiCalculator CD uses three simple Excel spreadsheets to predict non-irrigated crop yields and estimate irrigation water needs, considering factors such as soil type, precipitation, and crop selection.
Researchers found that cowpea produced comparable onion yields to bare ground, while foxtail millet was less effective as a mulch due to its thickness. Soybean meal showed potential as an effective source of nitrogen for organic onion production.
The US Department of Agriculture's ARS is conducting long-term studies to examine growing camelina as a bioenergy crop. Camelina has high oil content, making it a promising candidate for producing biofuels.
Growing energy crops like warm season grasses and short-rotation woody crops can promote long-term carbon sequestration and provide biofuel feedstock. Removing crop residues from fields, however, can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and reduced nutrient cycling.
Researchers are studying plant stress response mechanisms to improve crop productivity and survival under drought and extreme weather conditions. By understanding how plants respond to different types of stress, scientists hope to develop new breeding approaches that enhance crop resilience without sacrificing yields.
This study investigates the impact of landscape position on biomass crop yield, finding that summit positions produce higher yields than flat areas. Corn stover yield is positively influenced by terrain slope, nitrogen, and soil darkness profile.
A new study predicts that world conventional crude oil production will reach its peak in 2014, years earlier than anticipated. The study, published in ACS' Energy & Fuels, uses a revised version of the Hubbert model to account for individual production trends and provides a more realistic forecast.
A new Stanford University study finds that global warming could lead to crop shortages, rising food prices, and increased poverty in some regions. However, others may benefit from higher crop yields and prices, particularly farmers who own their own land.
A team of researchers has identified 1.1 million base pairs of DNA in the soybean genome, including traits that affect plant development, disease resistance, and nutrition. This knowledge will enable scientists to create more resilient crops, reducing hunger and improving food security worldwide.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released new geospatial data products, including satellite images of agricultural land cover across most of the nation. These cropland data layers can be used to monitor crop rotation patterns, land use changes, and water resources.
Scientists at the University of York have created a genetic map for Artemisia annua, which will enable rapid improvement of the species and development of high-yielding crops. The project aims to meet soaring demand for effective malaria treatments by 2012, when production is expected to double.
The western corn rootworm beetle can survive on Miscanthus x giganteus, a potential biofuels crop grown alongside corn. This finding could impact corn production and lead to devastating consequences if the plant becomes a vast reservoir of rootworm beetles.
A recent study by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that vermicompost derived from pig manure can produce healthy hibiscus plants. The treatment resulted in improved plant growth and flower production, with an average increase of 58% in plant dry weight and 93% more flowers compared to conventional nursery crop inputs.
A study by Oregon State University economists found that countries like France and the US fare well due to competitive crop production and few trade barriers. In contrast, low-income countries suffer from higher trade restrictions and below-average productivity.
Researchers introduced a single bacterial gene into yeast to improve bioethanol production from agricultural waste, increasing ethanol yields while eliminating major byproducts glycerol and acetate. The innovation addresses second-generation bioethanol challenges, enabling more efficient and sustainable production.
Mechanical fruit thinning improves pecan yield and nut quality, leading to increased profit potential. The study found that thinned trees had a higher return crop value in the off-year, offsetting any loss in yield, resulting in overall increased profitability for 'Cape Fear' and 'Sumner' pecan varieties.
Researchers find that removing fruit from 'Pixie' mandarin trees reduces floral intensity of return bloom by inhibiting budbreak. Growers can investigate degrees of fruit thinning or pruning to mitigate alternate bearing, which is exacerbated by holding fruit on the tree to extend commercial harvest period.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present scholarships to recognize outstanding students' achievements in agronomy, soil science, and crop science. The awards will be presented at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present the 2009 fellows at a special ceremony in Pittsburgh. The fellows were chosen for their professional achievements and meritorious service, with only 0.3% of members selected.
Researchers explored how gene flow between cultivated sorghum and its weedy relatives impacts crop yields and diversity. Farmers in northern Cameroon actively limit gene flow through practices like eradicating weeds, but some unintentional practices still favor genetic exchange.
The USDA's $320 million initiative aims to support programs in 12 states, enabling farmers to implement conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff and improve wildlife habitat. The program underscores the agency's commitment to sustainable land stewardship and cleaner water.
A study predicts that US crop yields could decrease by 30-46% over the next century under slow global warming scenarios and by 63-82% under rapid scenarios. Crop yields are most vulnerable to temperatures above 29-32 degrees Celsius, depending on the crop.
Researchers at MU College of Agriculture are constructing drought simulators to study how plants respond to various drought conditions. The project aims to develop more tolerant crop plants and improve water efficiency in agriculture.
Research suggests that corn yield stability improves when rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy; dairy manure applications can support continuous corn in high-yielding years but hinder it in low-yielding years. Synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure negatively impact continuous corn yields.
Research by the International Rice Research Institute has led to early rice harvests, reducing famine in northwest Bangladesh. The new methods allow farmers to plant rice earlier and use shorter-duration varieties, improving food security and reducing monga.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is developing drought-tolerant rice to help farmers cope with water shortages affecting 15-20 million hectares of irrigated rice. Genetically modified rice may also play a role in boosting production and improving grain quality during postharvest
Researchers warn that African farmers lack access to climatically suitable crop varieties due to neglect of genebanks, threatening food security. Six countries face unique challenges as temperatures rise beyond historical experience, highlighting the need for immediate action to develop new crop varieties.
Crop residues are crucial for sustaining soil organic matter, but extensive removal for ethanol production can impact soil productivity. Research suggests that straw removal rates should be limited to less than 66% and no more than 40% of aboveground residues removed.
By leveraging the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS sensor on NASA's Aqua satellite, researchers can estimate soil moisture levels with improved accuracy, leading to more precise crop forecasts. This innovation addresses the pressing issue of global food scarcity and its impact on millions of poor people.
Global Crop Diversity Trust awards grants to explore millions of seed samples worldwide in search of drought, heat tolerance and other critical traits. The effort aims to support farmers in developing countries by increasing crop production amidst climate change.
A series of symposium papers explore AquaCrop and other agronomic models that estimate water use efficiency under varying conditions. The models were shown to adequately simulate WUE under well-watered conditions but tend to overestimate or underestimate WUE under water stress, limiting their usefulness for deficit irrigation scenarios.
The study found that organic and rotational grazing systems were more profitable than conventional monocropping, despite increased risk exposure. The results suggest that governmental policy should support crop rotations and organic farming practices.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a single gene responsible for controlling plant growth responses to high temperatures, which could significantly impact crop production as global warming increases. The study found that mutant plants deficient in the regulatory protein PIF4 display reduced growth and biomass.
Researchers found that digital images can effectively characterize canopy coverage and light interception in tomato crops using free software and commercial cameras. The study demonstrated practical advantages over traditional methods, including the ability to measure at any time of day and without bright sunlight.
The Global Crop Diversity Trust is rapidly reviving ailing seed samples from 46 countries to preserve genetic traits vital to maintaining global food security. The effort, which includes 100,000 different crop varieties, aims to prevent extinction of staple crops like rice, maize, and wheat.
Researchers found that high crop biodiversity leads to less dissolved nitrogen in surrounding watersheds, suggesting a buffer effect from grasslands and woodlands. This could indicate a reversible impact if policy changes prioritize farming practices like crop rotation, smaller fields, and native perennial grasses.