A team of economists and scientists proposes a groundbreaking 'climate-smart' biofuel policy to promote low-carbon biofuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance soil carbon sequestration. The policy aims to reward farmers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, such as no-till farming and precision agriculture.
Researchers found that soybean plants can pass on adaptive responses to stress across generations without changing their DNA. This phenomenon, known as transgenerational plasticity, can lead to improved defense against pests but also reduces yield and fitness.
Anish Sapkota is researching abiotic stressors like drought, heat, and soil nutrients in crops such as wheat and alfalfa to improve precision agriculture. Variable rate application of water and fertilizer can help farmers save money and products by targeting specific areas of the field.
Researchers revived historical fungal strains to understand the evolution of fungicide resistance and environmental adaptation in modern agriculture. The study provides critical insights into plant disease dynamics, paving the way for more sustainable agricultural strategies.
A team of scientists proposes an integrated framework combining biotechnology and AI to revolutionize crop breeding, exploring multi-omics, genome editing, and high-throughput phenotyping. The authors present a forward-looking framework for AI-assisted crop germplasm design, offering a roadmap for sustainable agriculture.
The Sustainability Accelerator at Stanford University has selected 41 new projects spanning biology, agriculture, electricity, industry, and water, addressing key climate vulnerabilities. The projects aim to drive implementation of sustainability challenges and create an ecosystem for impact.
Robert T. Burns, a distinguished professor at UTIA, received the Cyrus Hall McCormick – Jerome Increase Case Gold Medal for his work on agricultural engineering and manure management systems. He was honored for his contributions to advancing the development of agriculture through new concepts and technologies.
A study in Egypt's agricultural provinces found significant differences in how farmers handle various types of plastics. Mulching films are often directly buried or burned, while covering films are collected for recycling due to their durability. Economic pressure is a major barrier to recycling, with high costs and labor collection ex...
Researchers are studying the effects of Hurricane Helene flooding on agricultural land in Tennessee, with a focus on managing contaminants in croplands. The team aims to provide actionable knowledge to farmers and communities affected by the disaster.
Researchers develop innovative technology to control black rot disease in cauliflower, achieving high precision and reducing pesticide use by 72.5%. The system uses spectral sensors, machine learning models, and intelligent spraying, successfully identifying and treating diseased plants while avoiding mis-spraying of healthy ones.
A new archaeological survey reveals extensive precolonial agricultural landscape in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with evidence of complex raised fields and maize cultivation dating back to 1000-1600 CE. The study challenges long-held assumptions about the scale and nature of ancestral American agriculture.
The use of plastics in agriculture and food production has grown significantly, with 20% of all plastics used in France in 2023. Plastics are used to package, transport, and preserve food products, but their composition is often complex and diverse.
Diatoms have been shown to decompose minerals in lunar soil, releasing vital nutrients for plant growth, and improve water retention and root growth rates.
Gene editing technologies could enable climate-resilient crops, higher yields, and reduced fertilizers and pesticides. Researchers advocate allowing gene editing in organic farming to support the EU's goal of 25% organic agriculture by 2030.
Large-scale solar arrays will occupy approximately 0.2 percent of agricultural land in Arkansas, with projected impacts on crop prices and proximal real estate value. Researchers found that utility-scale solar projects can coexist with agriculture through integrated systems like agrivoltaics.
The SHOWCASE project has published four practice abstracts on the EU CAP Network platform, providing practical insights for farmers and policymakers. The findings highlight the importance of well-designed incentives, farmer behavior, and bridging the science-policy gap to promote biodiversity integration in European agriculture.
A new study suggests that urban agriculture alone can only feed about one fifth of a city's population, but combining it with near-urban farming can ensure food security for the entire city. Peas are found to be the best crop for maximizing protein and calories while minimizing land requirements in normal climate scenarios.
A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream. The study suggests that more attention should be paid to where development might have serious effects on water quality for people living nea...
Researchers at TUMCREATE found that vertical farming can significantly increase the yield of crops, algae, mushrooms, insects, fish, and cultivated meat, while reducing land use and pesticide use. This sustainable approach to food production is crucial for future food security, especially in urban areas.
Research by NIOO-KNAW reveals that less intense farming practices, such as reduced ploughing and increased grass-clover mixtures, can improve soil health and multifunctionality in both conventional and organic agriculture. This approach, known as 'productive de-intensification,' aims to retain crop yields while enhancing soil functions.
A study by TUMCREATE and TUM reveals CEA can produce safe food year-round, complementing traditional farming and enhancing food security in drought-prone areas. By controlling growth conditions, CEA minimizes environmental impact while increasing productivity for multiple food sources.
Callie Robinson, a junior at the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture, has won the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers 2025 Collegiate Discussion Meet. Her victory marks the second consecutive year a Herbert student has achieved this recognition.
A study found that agricultural antifungals, like TBZ, can cause genomic changes in the infectious yeast Candida tropicalis, increasing its resistance. This increase in resistance poses a growing concern for human infections, as many pathogens are becoming resistant to antifungal medicines.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
Researchers found that certain cover plants, such as rye and sunflower, can absorb excess nitrate and remove unwanted metals like cadmium. This method offers a natural, climate-neutral way to improve soil health and is suitable for phytoremediation in agriculture.
A new study estimates that US agriculture needs a 5-8% per year growth in research investment or $2.2 billion to $3.8 billion in additional funding to maintain productivity through 2050. The urgency is driven by the impact of climate change, which takes time to be addressed through publicly funded research and development.
The AGRI4POL project aims to transform agriculture into a positive force for biodiversity and crop pollination services. It will deliver an integrated analysis of the crop-farming system-pollinator interplay across biological organisation levels.
The International Workshop on Space Agriculture and Horticulture 2025 will take place from March 9-11, 2025, at Chiba University. Researchers and postgraduate students can register for free via a Google form, with a registration deadline of March 7, 2025.
A new computer vision system, integrating internet of things and artificial intelligence, enables continuous monitoring of plant growth in controlled environment agriculture. The system successfully isolated individual plants and tracked changes in leaf coverage area throughout their growth cycle.
A new study led by Colorado State University found that agricultural nitrogen fertilizer is the primary cause of seasonal carbon cycle swings. This discovery adds to scientific understanding of the carbon cycle and could help inform climate change mitigation strategies.
All five subregions of Africa will breach the 1.5°C climate change threshold by 2040, even under low emission scenarios, according to a new study. The research highlights the urgent need for just transition pathways in African agriculture to enhance food security and poverty reduction while optimizing mitigation co-benefits.
Researchers reconstructed past crop repertoires, showcasing how communities diversified their agriculture to ensure food security amidst changing environmental conditions. The study offers valuable lessons for modern agriculture, informing sustainable practices and policies in the face of greater climate variability.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $210,000 grant to support ongoing integrated pest management programs across the state. The grant will focus on agronomic and specialty crops, pest control in houses and schools, and improving pollinator health.
A team of scientists at USDA and Iowa State University used generative AI to identify compounds that can reduce enteric methane emissions in cows. Bromoform, a naturally occurring compound found in seaweed, showed promise in reducing methane production by 80-98% when fed to cattle.
The global energy return on investment for agriculture increased from .68 to .91 between 1995 and 2019, reflecting improvements in efficiency. However, the ratio has plateaued since 2014, indicating that more energy is required to produce food than it provides in calories.
Researchers aim to develop resilient soybean plants resistant to southern root-knot nematodes, causing $160 billion in damages annually. The project will screen hundreds of genetically diverse soybean lines worldwide to identify potential new sources of resistance.
A joint program between the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Enhanced Nature will develop methods to accelerate AMF growth in vitro. This project could enhance sustainable agriculture practices by improving fungal production and increasing demand for high-quality AMF products.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has won a four-year grant to create hands-on curriculum about AI-related technologies for future farmers and leaders. Selected students will test the curriculum in drones, robotics, and other smart agriculture technologies, gaining skills in coding, drone-work, and robotics.
A new paper emphasizes the role of agrifood value chains in supporting climate-smart agriculture at the farm level, highlighting the potential of these chains to empower farmers to adopt climate-resilient practices. The authors propose policy measures to strengthen the vital role of AVCs in driving climate action.
In-shell pecans are susceptible to pathogens due to soil contact with wildlife and livestock. A recent study found that hot water treatment significantly reduced Shiga toxin-producing E. coli populations on pecans, regardless of treatment time, and prevented cross-contamination.
Researchers are developing a novel vaccine and exploring the use of bile acids to fight necrotic enteritis, a preventable intestinal disease in poultry that costs the industry up to $6 billion annually. The vaccine, known as MEFA, targets multiple virulence points of the disease-causing pathogen, providing better protection against inf...
A recent study using satellite imagery analyzed drought dynamics over five years to show increasing droughts in the Arkansas Delta. The user-friendly Arkansas Vegetation Drought Explorer v.2.0 web app provides maps showing drought levels by county, year, and month.
A $500K grant will support awareness and training for neurodivergent participation in the workplace, with a focus on building inclusive models. The goal is to strengthen employment prospects for those with neurological differences, who face difficulty finding or keeping jobs.
A recent study aims to develop probiotics derived from healthy cattle to prevent bovine respiratory disease. The research focuses on increasing cattle health by decreasing antimicrobial resistance and improving the natural microbial defenses of cattle.
A new program supported by a four-year grant from the USDA will train Michigan youth in 'smart agriculture' using data science. The project aims to equip the workforce with knowledge in both smart farming tools and data science to address global food production challenges.
The new Institute for Food Product Innovation and Commercialization offers training and development support to agriculture producers with novel product ideas. The program aims to remove hurdles for farmer-entrepreneurs, providing expertise on food manufacturing, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
Frank Yin, a renowned agronomy researcher at UTIA, has been recognized with the prestigious 2024 American Society of Agronomy Fellowship. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to research and education in areas such as nutrient management, precision agriculture, and soil conservation.
The UT Turfgrass Team has been recognized with the national Excellence in Extension Team Award for their worldwide impact and innovations in the turfgrass industry. The team provides education, research and outreach programs to serve the expansive turfgrass industry, which contributes significantly to Tennessee's economy.
A recent study found that over 90% of Mexican consumers would be willing to pay a premium of up to 73% for non-genetically modified products, including chicken, eggs, and tortillas. The ban on genetically modified corn could have significant impacts on US farmers who rely heavily on Mexico as their second-largest importer.
Understanding plant-to-plant communication through VOCs can lead to innovative strategies for crop protection and yield improvement, potentially revolutionizing sustainable agriculture. This review explores the molecular pathways behind this complex biochemical strategy and its potential applications.
Three interconnected projects will address complex food system challenges through education, research, and practical application. The projects aim to foster a learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in agriculture.
Researchers propose a method called electro-agriculture that can produce food without sunlight, reducing the need for agricultural fields by 94%. The method uses a solar-powered chemical reaction to convert CO2 into acetate, which is then used by genetically engineered plants to produce energy and carbon.
Histomonosis, a deadly parasite that decimates turkey flocks, is being studied for its transmission routes and potential treatments. Researchers aim to understand how the parasite survives and spreads, with a focus on fecal-oral transmission via contaminated feces or cecal droppings.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
A new study reveals that ant agriculture and fungus farming originated 66 million years ago, with colonies of ants beginning to cultivate fungi in the aftermath of the asteroid impact. This partnership has evolved over time, with some fungal crops becoming completely reliant on ants 27 million years ago.
A new USDA-funded research grant supports the development of sustainable, biodegradable mulch films that can provide nutrients to crops while reducing plastic pollution. The project aims to create durable and effective films that can be used for years without harming the environment.
Researchers will focus on automating repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labor. The goal is to increase automation adoption among nurseries, promoting sustainable growth in the rural communicates where the industry is predominantly located.
Climate change exacerbates agricultural environmental harm, requiring sustainable practices to stabilize global food supply. Researchers identify new methods like precision farming and crop rotation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent feedback loops.
A new machine-learning model developed by a University of Arkansas student improves upon existing genotype-by-environmental interaction models, achieving higher prediction accuracy. The model uses feature engineering to process environmental data, leading to a 7% improvement in mean prediction accuracy.