A NASA study found that conversion of wetlands to agricultural lands can lead to more severe freezes in south Florida. The researchers analyzed data from the Landsat 5 satellite and weather records to simulate three freeze events, concluding that land-use changes can enhance damage inflicted upon agriculture.
A report by Cornell University's David Pimentel and his students highlights the need to conserve water in US agriculture. The study found that irrigation practices can require up to three times more fossil energy than rain-fed crops, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management.
The National Agricultural Biosecurity Center is developing content and software to help emergency management personnel respond effectively to agricultural or zoonotic bioterrorist events. The project aims to create an integrated system accessible via the Internet, providing veterinarians, county extension agents, and others with access...
A team of scientists has identified an enzyme called CYP4AW1 that breaks down insect pheromones, allowing for the development of targeted treatments to prevent agricultural pests from breeding. By blocking this enzyme with a specific chemical, researchers may be able to disrupt the communication between insects and prevent infestations.
Studies suggest that farming spread rapidly across Europe, with early Neolithic farmers bringing crops from Anatolia. Archaeological evidence suggests a 'revolution' period for agriculture in northwest Europe.
Research finds that flood policy shifts are often driven by prevailing attitudes, technological resources and social values, not just crisis responses. Policymakers must consider these complex influences when planning for future events.
Researchers found that increasing soil depth and volume leads to increased species occupation and complementary biodiversity effects. The study suggests that intercropping may benefit from deeper soils, but soil erosion could reduce these benefits.
Restoring carbon in degraded agricultural soils can significantly improve crop yields and global food security, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, soil has a finite capacity for holding carbon, and widespread adoption of recommended management practices may reach its limits within 50 years.
Researchers at K-State and Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are working together to develop methods for measuring and verifying soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions. This cooperation aims to improve cropland productivity while reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases.
The book Challenges for Rural America in the 21st Century examines rural social change, economic transformation, and policy implications. Key findings include unevenly spread gaming benefits, elder care challenges, and the need for rural communities to adapt to a decentralized system.
Sub-Saharan Africa must focus on expanding and intensifying smallholder agriculture backed by manufacturing exports to meet Millennium Development Goals. The region's agricultural growth has stagnated for 30 years, making it crucial to address practical challenges facing farmers and private investors.
Cornell University has been awarded a $300,000 USAID grant to implement two development programs in India. The Agriculture in Developing Nations course will be taught at Cornell and partner institutions in India, sensitizing students and policymakers on how to improve productivity and competitiveness in agriculture. For executives, the...
Research shows that cities built on fertile lands account for a significant decline in global food production, despite covering only 3% of US land area. Urbanization leads to a 1.6% reduction in annual Net Primary Productivity, offsetting gains from increased agricultural lands.
Researchers found that agricultural workers who thin orchards have detectable levels of pesticides in their house and vehicle dust, posing a risk to children. Children of thinners were more likely to have detectable pesticide metabolites in their urine, supporting the theory that workers track home pesticides on their clothing and shoes.
Research at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station has led to a patent for derivatives of DIM, a natural compound derived from certain vegetables, to treat cancer. These compounds have shown promise in inhibiting the growth of breast, pancreatic, colon, bladder, and ovarian cancer cells in laboratory studies.
An agricultural experiment from 1969 showed that nitrate fertilizer can persist in groundwater and streams for decades, influencing water quality. The study, conducted nearly 30 years later, confirmed this finding and highlights the need for long-term research on agricultural pollution.
Field experiments on Mexican reefs show that modest nutrient pollution can increase coral mortality by facilitating disease spread. Further steps should be taken to reduce agricultural runoff, sewage pollution, and deforestation to protect coral reef health.
A study found pesticide residues on floors, toys, and hands of children living in farm worker households, posing a significant health risk. The research team detected six agricultural chemicals and 11 residential pesticides in the homes, highlighting the need for further study on this population's exposure to pesticides.
Research reveals that mass flowering crops, such as oilseed rape, play a crucial role in enhancing bumblebee densities in agricultural landscapes. Contrary to previous assumptions, the availability of these crops at a landscape scale is essential for supporting pollinator populations.
The study found that 31 soils are effectively extinct due to agricultural and land use, while six states have more than half of their rare soil series in an endangered state. The researchers argue for preserving rare and unique soils, which support rare plants and animals.
Experts from USDA, Texas A&M University, and the National Food Processors Association will present on strategies to protect America's agriculture and food supply from terrorism and biological threats. Initiatives include improved communication, rapid detection, and emergency response planning to prevent outbreaks and ensure food security.
Dalton's study reveals farmers value plant height, days to maturity, and processing characteristics over yield increase. He used a hedonic model to derive economic values of crop traits, aiding breeders in creating technology.
The University of California, Riverside is part of PIPRA, a collaborative effort to review public sector patenting practices and develop shared technology packages. This initiative aims to enhance the impact of technology transfer on public benefit, addressing critical global agricultural needs.
A group of leading US public sector agricultural research institutions has agreed to share their patented technologies to help improve staple crop varieties like rice, cassava, and sorghum. The Public-Sector Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA) initiative aims to accelerate research and development to boost the domest...
The Public-Sector Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA) is a roadmap guiding public research institutions in managing and sharing intellectual property. PIPRA aims to facilitate the commercialization of new crops by allowing multiple institutions to hold parts of intellectual property rights.
A New Mexico State University scientist's study reveals that the cost of maintaining the upstream habitat for the endangered silvery minnow results in a net gain of $68,000 per year for New Mexico agriculture. However, central New Mexico agricultural users and Albuquerque residents would lose $68,000 annually, while southern New Mexico...
A Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientist has developed a method of producing collagen and other health-related proteins from plants, replacing human or animal sources. The process involves introducing collagen proteins into sugarcane callus, transforming the cane to produce both sugar and collagen protein in cane stems.
Despite explosive population growth, total harvested area in the region increased by 5%, while irrigated land jumped by 73%. Urbanization appears to have stabilized farm and ranch employment in eastern Colorado Plains cities.
A Texas forestry sciences researcher has developed a two-dimensional warping model based on the mechanics of layered composites, enabling factory managers to make changes in manufacturing processes. The model uses commercial spreadsheet software to calculate and plot overall linear expansion and out-of-plane warping of wood-based panels.
Ancient societies successfully transformed their environments through slow, incremental changes to living, labor, agricultural, and water collection/distribution practices. In Bali, Indonesia, centuries-old environmental/cultural/religious practices remain functional, highlighting the complexity of human ecology in ancient landscapes.
Agricultural surpluses and tariffs imposed by wealthy nations deny developing countries the opportunity to produce more food and lift people out of poverty. The solution lies in investing in rural infrastructure, technology, and market structure to increase productivity and reduce hunger.
A model suggests that only coarse-textured soils can form fingers capable of moving deep into the soil, leading to inefficient water use and potential groundwater contamination. Laboratory experiments show that even small amounts of water can create persistent pathways in sandy soils.
Researchers developed a model predicting water redistribution in soils following irrigation or rainfall. Coarse-textured soils exhibit finger formation, leading to deep chemical movement and potential groundwater contamination. Longer, less frequent watering may decrease fingering near the surface.
Researchers found that man-made wetlands in California's San Joaquin Valley can remove up to 69.2% of selenium from agricultural drainage water, converting it into non-toxic dimethyl selenide. The unique ecosystem of the wetlands acts as a bio-geo-chemical filter, trapping selenium in sediment and utilizing plant roots to metabolize it.
The IFDC's ISFM-based intensification technologies improve fertilizer use efficiency by integrating organic matter and crop residue recycling. The approach increases agricultural productivity, maintains natural resources, and yields 2-3 times higher than average, with significant returns on investment and labor.
Researchers at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station have discovered a promising new treatment for eliminating mistletoe from urban trees. The plant hormone has shown to be effective in controlling up to 90% of mistletoe infestations, with potential applications for widespread use across the United States.
A study by Dr. Ron Randel found that fall-born Brahman bulls take longer to reach sexual maturity than spring-born bulls, delaying breeding by up to 39 days. This delay has little impact on long-term reproductive efficiency, but affects commercial cattle producers who buy young bulls for early use.
A farm safety lesson improved rural students' knowledge of farm safety, with significant gains in correct answers. The program reduced the risk of farm-related injuries and deaths among elementary school children.
Researchers found habitat destruction and pesticide exposure linked to declines of four frog species and two toad species in California. The study suggests that wind-borne agrochemicals may be a contributing factor to amphibian population declines.
The report highlights agriculture's significant impact on urban daily life, from green industry to economic benefits and crime reduction. It proposes initiatives for collaboration between agricultural science, higher education, research, and government to remain relevant to society.
Purdue researchers are working on a $1 million project to control carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by using U.S. farmland. The goal is to trap plant residue carbon in soil and reduce the country's annual contribution to carbon dioxide, which could offset up to 20% of projected emissions.
Agricultural plastics, such as mulch films and nursery pots, are difficult to recycle due to their varied types and dirtiness. Penn State researcher James Garthe has developed a method to convert these plastics into plastic nuggets that can be burned with coal, producing energy 20 times greater than conventional recycling methods.
The Kansas State University-led consortium aims to develop carbon sequestration strategies for U.S. agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas accumulation. The project will provide tools and information for farmers to implement soil carbon sequestration programs, improving the nation's farmlands and agricultural economy.
Changes in agricultural practices have led to improved water conditions on Lake Erie, with phosphorus levels from fertilizers decreasing by over 50% for all seasons. Climate change also played a role, increasing nitrogen levels by up to 500% due to winter runoff and soil leaching.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that farming inside forests reduces bird diversity and nesting success compared to timber harvesting. The study's results suggest that small agricultural openings can have a significant impact on bird populations.
Researchers found that exposure to agricultural fungicide Triphenyltin (TPT) can irreversibly suppress natural killer cell function, a crucial part of the human immune system. Even after TPT is removed, these cells are unable to regain their strength.
University of Southern Mississippi researchers developed an agricultural-based paint using soybean oil or lesquerella oil, reducing toxic pollutants. The paint, American Pride, has potential applications in various industries and will benefit the state's economy.
A team of paleoecologists from Amsterdam used pollen grains to accurately recreate the local climate in Southern Mexico and Northern Guatemala around 1000 AD. The study suggests that the collapse of the well-organised Maya empire led to widespread destruction of wildlife and agricultural areas, resulting in a drier climate.
A Princeton University study reveals that South American forests offer a glimpse into pre-industrial US ecosystems, showing complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems. The findings suggest that high levels of inorganic nitrogen in the US are mainly due to acid rain and agricultural fertilizers.
The new center will focus on developing solutions to the two major threats to honeybees, including parasitic mites and Africanized honeybees. It aims to create mite-resistant stocks of honeybees using molecular technologies and traditional breeding methods.
The Texas A&M University Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism aims to develop research tools to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on agriculture. The institute will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as surveillance networking, satellite imaging, and biotechnology to create a proactive defense system.
Agricultural tariffs average over 40% globally, with dairy products and sugar being heavily protected. The paper advocates for the abolition of export subsidies and curtailment of domestic support to create a level playing field.
A new study from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and Mayo Clinic found that women in western Africa need more energy than men based on their work burden. The research determined that women worked two to three hours more per day than men, resulting in a 30% increase in energy needs.
A four-year project led by Virginia Tech aims to investigate the social and economic effects of agricultural biotechnologies. The study will examine the distributional effects of early adopters versus late adopters, as well as the impact on producers and consumers.
Researchers found that monarch larvae are more likely to be exposed to toxic corn pollen when pollen is shed during peak larval activity. In Ontario, 62% of larvae were exposed to toxic pollen, while in Iowa, the figure was 15%. The study suggests that agricultural habitats like cornfields are crucial for monarchs.
Researchers at Purdue University link economic growth to annual hard frosts, finding that temperate areas have historically had less disease and better agricultural productivity. Frost enables the build-up of organic matter in fertile topsoil, allowing for richer agricultural success.
Scientists have identified several proteins that can block myostatin activity, leading to increased muscle growth in mice. The study suggests that these proteins may be effective muscle-enhancing agents for both human and agricultural applications.
Researchers suggest adopting conservation tillage, cover crops, and grazing management to reduce erosion and capture carbon in agricultural lands. By implementing these practices, farmers can create a net-positive carbon balance and help mitigate global warming.
Researchers have discovered evidence of agriculture dating back 1,400 years to the Princess Point people in southwestern Ontario. Well-preserved remnants of these ancient corn crops can still be found in the area, providing valuable insights into the transition from a hunting and gathering society to an agricultural one.
A USGS study links agricultural contaminants to declining amphibian populations in California's Sierra Nevada. Pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, were found to suppress enzyme activity in frogs, leading to population declines.