The UAE has launched an AI ecosystem to support climate-resilient farming in vulnerable communities worldwide. The CGIAR AI Hub and four other initiatives aim to drive digital transformation and innovation in agriculture, providing practical solutions for farmers, governments, and development actors.
PFOS is accumulating in soils and agricultural plants across Africa at levels that may pose ecological and public health risks. The study highlights contamination hotspots in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, and calls for urgent investment in monitoring, regulation, and research capacity.
A new Illinois study reveals that investing in farm demonstration networks can significantly increase the adoption of cover crops, which improve soil health and water quality. The study found a 50% increase in cover crop adoption within four years after implementation, with greater increases observed near demonstration farms.
A new study reveals that for every 10% increase in forest cover, an additional species is present, and sites with complete forest cover support three times the terrestrial vertebrate species compared to those lacking tree cover.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has partnered with the Indian National Horticulture Board to improve agricultural production in India. The project aims to establish nine clean plant centers in India, providing training in advanced diagnostic methods, virus elimination, and science-based certification systems.
A team of researchers from China applied CNNs to predict swine traits using previously published data, achieving optimal performance with a novel one-hot encoding method. The expanded encoding method enhanced the CNN's prediction accuracy, outperforming traditional techniques.
Agricultural producers can now use RGB images from smartphones to analyze crop attributes such as nutrient content and chemical composition. The researchers developed a dataset of reconstructed multispectral images for sweet potatoes, which can be used by anyone for modeling purposes.
Researchers developed a biochar-based material that dramatically improves nitrate removal from agricultural soils and water, maximizing both nitrate adsorption and ammonium retention. The optimized composite achieved nitrate reduction rates as high as 71 percent and increased ammonium retention by 53 percent compared to biochar alone.
Research reveals that stunting rates among children in Tanzania's BBRs are significantly higher than non-BBRs. Despite increased food production, there is no significant improvement in child growth status, suggesting a correlation between agricultural commercialization and monotonous diets.
Researchers develop system to test and optimise self-driving strategies for agricultural tractors in a virtual environment, creating realistic vineyard scenarios and evaluating control algorithms. The goal is to reduce human presence and improve agricultural automation solutions based on sensors and predictive algorithms.
A new study identifies key conflicts between agricultural expansion and ecological protection in Northeast China, proposing integrated strategies to achieve a sustainable balance. The research team recommends creating wetland compensation mechanisms, optimizing water allocation, and restoring habitats for migratory birds.
A new study found that the arrival of boll weevils in the US South in the early 20th century led to improved economic outcomes for Black sons born after the agricultural shock. The researchers examined changes in earnings, occupations, and residences for Black males before and after the boll weevil's appearance.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that while Israel can technically sustain itself through local vegetative food production, the economic price would be staggering. The researchers argue that a balanced approach, combining agricultural innovation, diversified import sources, and strategic food storage, offers ...
A new study from the University of Oxford estimates that adopting more plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labor needs by 5-28% by 2030, which is equivalent to 18-106 million full-time jobs. This shift could also cut global labor costs by $290-995 billion per year.
A new study reveals that modern agriculture is threatening biodiversity in European protected areas, but traditional low-intensity farming methods can help preserve habitats and species. The findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen agricultural regulations inside protected areas to achieve EU biodiversity conservation goals.
Researchers developed a new model to simulate and project China's agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, identifying priority regions and subsectors for mitigation. The study found that current mitigation efforts achieve only 26-45% of the total technical potential, with significant room for improvement.
A new study finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. The researchers show that restoring these wetlands can lead to significant savings for local drinking water treatment facilities, with potential annual benefits of $200 million.
Researchers have developed magnetic carbon adsorbents made from flax shives and eucalyptus sawdust to effectively remove toxic chemicals like pentachlorophenol from water. The materials demonstrated outstanding performance in removing up to 95% of PCP, showing excellent stability and minimal loss of performance.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that China's cropland soils have stabilized in pH levels since 2013, linked to agricultural policy reforms. However, recovery has been slow and uneven across different types of farmland, with paddy fields showing signs of improvement but dryland soils remaining acidic.
An online monitoring system for farmland non-point source pollution uses a serial pipeline to monitor continuous cropping farmland. The system breaks through limitations of existing technologies, providing real-time data and automated sampling.
China has made significant technological breakthroughs in stabilized fertilizers, increasing nitrogen use efficiency by over 50% while reducing losses and greenhouse gas emissions. Field trials have verified the comprehensive benefits of these products, including increased crop yields and reduced fertilizer usage.
China's farmland exhibits a dual characteristic of strong emissions and weak carbon sink, but optimizing management can reduce emissions by 11.6 Tg CO2-eq per year. Implementing '4R nutrient management' and improved irrigation techniques can increase soil organic carbon content and enhance carbon sequestration capacity.
A new survey conducted by UC Berkeley researchers found that approximately 75% of agricultural workers in Sonoma County have worked during wildfires since 2017. The study also found that half of the farmworkers reported having ailments like headaches or sore throats after working during a wildfire.
Researchers developed a clean process to transform microalgae and agricultural residues into biofuels, bio-adsorbents, and fluorescent carbon nanodots. The study offers a sustainable way to reuse biomass resources, contributing to renewable energy production and environmental protection.
A recent study suggests that combining rewetting with biochar and iron sulphate additions can significantly slow down carbon loss from drained agricultural peat soils. This combination enhances carbon storage by suppressing soil enzymes and promoting the formation of iron-bound carbon compounds.
The study demonstrates that combining LiDAR, multispectral, and thermal infrared imaging with ensemble learning significantly enhances prediction accuracy for aboveground biomass estimation. This scalable framework supports precision agriculture, phenotyping, and environmental monitoring.
The study quantified emissions of four pollutants from agricultural production and domestic sewage in the Haixi area, revealing rural domestic sewage was main contributor to NH3-N. The research suggests promoting low-pollution modes, strengthening sewage pipe networks, and using comprehensive treatment technology for livestock breeding.
A study on C. elegans reveals that dissolved biochar affects nematode growth and physiology, with lower doses promoting development and higher doses disrupting normal functions. The findings highlight the need for careful dosing and oversight when deploying biochar in agricultural systems.
The US has traditionally been an agricultural powerhouse but global dynamics are changing due to political and economic factors. Row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton are experiencing stagnant or declining exports, with the trade deficit projected to worsen in coming years.
Researchers have developed a modified biochar made from biogas residue that can efficiently remove ammonium nitrogen from water. The potassium-permanganate-modified biochar achieved an adsorption capacity up to four times greater than unmodified biochar, making it a promising tool for environmental remediation.
A two-year field study reveals that biodegradable microplastics, often considered eco-friendly, are reshaping farmfield soils in unexpected ways. Bioplastics PLA reduced stable carbon compounds by 32% while boosting microbial necromass and fungal-dominated soil ecosystems.
A machine learning approach enhances the treatment of livestock manure, predicting phosphorus distribution and recovery. The process converts biowaste into hydrochar and a nutrient-rich liquid, reducing environmental pollution and supporting sustainable agriculture.
A comprehensive study by UC Riverside's School of Public Policy found that agricultural conservation programs saved water at a low cost per acre-foot, while new supply efforts were more expensive. The analysis showed that 80% of the Colorado River's water is consumed by agriculture, and incentive programs can deliver meaningful savings.
A study by ICTA-UAB reveals that non-agricultural sectors absorbed most of the value added in global agri-food systems between 1995 and 2020. The Global South increased its share of agricultural production, but countries of the North still capture a disproportionate share of income from higher-value sectors.
The 'Grassland Butterfly Index' shows a significant decline in butterfly populations in Germany from 2016 to 2023, with some species decreasing by up to 50%. This trend is consistent with European-wide declines, highlighting the need for effective conservation measures to protect these important ecosystem indicators.
Researchers are analyzing leaf and soil samples from diverse areas to determine beneficial or harmful roles of different microbes. The study aims to improve crop production practices and overall yield by assessing the health of soil rhizosphere.
The Center for Food Animal Wellbeing's 11th annual symposium will focus on improving welfare outcomes in food animal production. The event, themed 'Boots on the Ground: Animal Welfare from the Veterinary Perspective,' will feature real-world veterinary insights and case studies on animal welfare.
Researchers used multiple agronomic models to examine the effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. The study found positive effects in both studied locations under a baseline scenario, but negative effects in a worst-case scenario.
The journal bridges agronomy, ecology, environmental science, and sustainability to address pressing global challenges such as soil health, water quality, and climate resilience. It offers a broad scope for original research, reviews, perspectives, and commentaries with no article processing charges until 2027.
A new phenotyping robot developed by Nanjing Agricultural University's team enables accurate and reliable plant tracking in various environments. The robot integrates multisensor fusion algorithms and advanced navigation systems to collect high-throughput phenotypic data, bridging the gap between genomics and observable traits.
A new UN report reveals that global agricultural trade affects water access, alleviating water scarcity for high-income populations while intensifying shortages for low-income communities. The report calls for measures to address outstanding water inequity issues resulting from international food trades.
The inaugural AI in Agriculture Symposium will bring together experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest research and real-world applications for agriculture. The symposium will feature a roundtable discussion on multidisciplinary collaborations in agriculture.
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.
A new study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that tropical systems significantly impact crop insurance premium rates in the Mid-South region. The researchers analyzed data from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which are more prone to hurricane damage due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.
A study proposes a sustainable production pathway to achieve an annual yield of 22.5 t·ha<sup>–1</sup> on the North China Plain, improving soil quality and nutrient use efficiency while reducing resource input. Collaborative innovation between scientists and farmers has shown effective results in promoting technology promotion.
Researchers proposed a quantitative design theory and technical pathway for green yield increase and efficient nitrogen utilization in winter wheat. The "Three-Stage Theory" identifies key bottlenecks and recommends optimizing population structure, soil health, and root-crown interactions to overcome them.
A team of experts envisions a path toward a carbon-neutral agricultural future by expanding policies designed to promote low-carbon biofuels. Climate-smart practices could reduce carbon emissions by 4-8 billion tonnes per year, according to studies.
This innovative approach optimizes the soil-crop-microbe system to achieve high yield, efficiency, and low pollution. By adopting green technology, China has increased food production by 21-87% while reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs and greenhouse gas emissions.
This new method combines top-down and bottom-up approaches to address the challenge of increasing grain production while reducing pollution. The 'Technology Backyard' serves as a problem collection station and testing ground for technologies developed in collaboration with frontline producers.
The study reveals that China's green technology innovations have improved crop yields and reduced fertilizer use by 40% and 0.83 million tons, respectively. The researchers propose four strategies to address challenges and predict significant increases in food output by 2050.
A new few-shot learning model, PlantCaFo, achieves 93.53% accuracy in controlled tests and surpasses existing approaches in real-world settings. The model's ability to learn from limited samples makes it suitable for agricultural applications where data collection is expensive and time-consuming.
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.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers found that inhaling agricultural dust can alter the gut microbiome and impair intestinal function, leading to increased 'leaky gut' and associated chronic diseases. The study highlights the need for protective measures for agricultural workers.
Agricultural plastics play a dual role in China's food security and green transition, offering significant technological, economic, and environmental benefits. However, improper disposal and prolonged use pose serious pollution risks to soil health and the human food chain.
Biodegradable microplastics have been found to promote nutrient turnover in soil, leading to improved pea growth. In contrast, traditional microplastics had more complex effects on plant biomass and microbial activity. Long-term toxicity of microplastics remains unknown, emphasizing the need for future field experiments.
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...
Agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso's research at Michigan State University provides a dynamic baseline approach to measure climate benefits in agricultural carbon markets. The study evaluates both soil organic carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions, offering a comprehensive assessment of net climate impact.
A new study suggests that EU agricultural policy can reduce carbon emissions by nearly a third and improve biodiversity recovery through strategic de-intensification. This approach involves adopting more sustainable farming practices, such as organic fertilizers, biological pest control, and low-input systems.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
This review systematically presents China's agricultural biotechnology development, highlighting progress in functional gene discovery and transgenic technologies. The Chinese government has established a regulatory system to ensure safe application of biotech products, with steady annual growth in approved applications, focusing on GM...