A recent study by Morgan Grabau found that cattle grazing on corn residue in the spring can increase soybean yields and minimize soil compaction. Contrary to initial concerns, the team discovered that even high-intensity grazing did not significantly affect subsequent crop growth.
Native to the US, tepary beans are drought-heat tolerant and require less water than common bean crops. They can be used as forage or cover crops, adding atmospheric nitrogen to soil and improving food security.
Certain bacteria living in sorghum roots work together with the plant to reduce drought stress, leading to overall plant success. The microbiome plays a critical role in determining crop productivity, and manipulating it may hold the key to developing crops that can thrive in harsh conditions.
Almond trees have unique needs and challenges for farmers, but researchers are finding ways to balance nutrient inputs with environmental quality. Conservation practices like nutrient budgeting and fertigation can help achieve this balance.
Researchers have developed a predictive model to guide plant breeders in selecting suitable corn varieties based on genomic analysis. The study focused on predicting eight corn traits using shoot apical meristem (SAM) analysis, achieving accuracy ranging from 37% to 57% across the eight traits studied.
A new soybean line has been developed with reduced allergic sensitivity, which can be tested on pigs to ensure safety for consumers and animals. Eliot Herman's research focuses on eliminating the allergenic protein in soybeans, aiming to improve lives and reduce medical expenditure.
A recent meta-analysis of 5,188 studies reveals that crop diversification enhances ecosystem services while maintaining or improving crop yields. This 'win-win' result has significant implications for agriculture and the environment.
A new disease affecting maize has been discovered by researchers at the University of Göttingen, caused by an aggressive strain of the fungus Trichoderma. This discovery raises concerns about the potential risks of using organic plant protection products in agriculture.
A recent study found a significant increase in the trading of species such as green monkeys and warthogs to protect crops, despite religious taboos. The research suggests that urban demand is not driving the wildmeat trade, but rather limited access to alternative protein sources and crop-protection incentives.
A recent study tested various cover crops to determine their effectiveness in protecting soil. While some cover crops had little impact, others showed promise in reducing erosion and nutrient loss. Researchers recommend choosing cover crops that can survive winter, grow well in spring, and hold onto soil for extended periods.
Researchers tested various cover crops to protect soil in Midwestern states like Illinois. While some cover crops showed promise, most failed to improve soil properties due to harsh winters and limited survival rates.
Researchers tested using wild crop relatives in breeding programs to improve crop resilience. The results showed that these relatives provided increased resistance to heat, drought, and some diseases, making them a promising approach to address climate change adaptation. However, breeders must also consider the potential impact on indu...
Researchers used UAVs to collect NDVI data at the seed increase stage of a CIMMYT wheat breeding program, showing heritable correlations with grain yield. Selection based on NDVI outperformed visual selection, suggesting improved resource-use efficiency and genetic gain.
A new study suggests that climate change may increase rice yields in Japan and other tropical areas due to longer growing seasons. Researchers found that combining a normal harvest time with a high cutting height can lead to higher yields in rice ratooning, a farming practice where the crop is cut and regrown.
Researchers found that char can rapidly restore soil carbon and sulfate concentrations, but did not affect physical properties or crop yields. The study suggests char as a potential strategy to enhance soil properties and crop yields in low-carbon soils.
A team from Pennsylvania State University analyzed the root systems of various beans and legumes to identify beneficial characteristics for breeding. They found that roots can balance nutrient exploration in topsoil and subsoil, leading to improved crop resilience under stress.
Scientists have identified over 40 quantitative trait loci associated with 14 traits in cassava, including disease responses and nutritional quality. This discovery aims to improve cassava breeding and provide a powerful tool for breeders.
US public plant breeding programs are facing significant declines in personnel hours, budget shortfalls, and retirements of program leaders. This erosion of capacity poses a risk to US food security, natural resource resilience, and public health if not addressed with stable funding and expertise.
Scientists have identified three genes linked to high protein digestibility in sorghum, which could lead to breeding programs to enhance the crop's nutritional value. This breakthrough aims to improve the lives of people in third-world countries and US livestock producers by increasing the protein content of sorghum.
The 'Madsen' wheat cultivar exhibits excellent resistance to various diseases and stresses, contributing to its widespread success in the Pacific Northwest. Its impact has been felt globally, with researchers using it as a parent in breeding programs to protect wheat crops from numerous threats.
A new method using Vis-NIR spectroscopy reduces the cost and time required to analyze soil samples, allowing for faster restoration of ecosystems. The technology enables scientists to estimate concentration levels in impacted soil quickly and easily.
The first commercially available intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cultivar has been released, providing a sustainable crop option for agriculture. MN-Clearwater produces high grain yields of 696 kg ha-1, with minimal lodging and disease levels, making it suitable for the US Upper Midwest, southern Canada, and Northeast regions.
The new database covers 219 pathogens that infect plants in Brazil, including many agriculturally important species. It presents information on diseases caused by the viruses and their occurrence in native, cultivated, and ornamental plants.
Researchers have created a novel method using smartphones to measure soil density, which is crucial for nutrient and carbon stock management. The new approach involves taking high-resolution photos of soil samples with a smartphone camera and analyzing them using photogrammetry software.
Studies show that some allelopathic winter cover crops may impact row crop yields, with corn and wheat affected by cereal rye chemicals. However, clear cause-and-effect relationships are rare due to limited field studies.
Researchers Rebecca Lybrand and her team studied the interaction between ground-nesting bees and soils in agricultural settings. They found that active nesting sites were present in locations with little to no rock cover and low vegetation, which may provide a suitable habitat for these pollinators.
Researchers estimate a median 21% yield reduction for impacted corn and soybean crops, resulting in minimum economic costs of $587 million USD. The actual cost range is estimated at $0-$1.76 billion USD due to potential land area expansion.
A new variety of pinto bean has been developed with a slow-darkening trait, which improves agronomic performance and cooking time. The beans show higher yields compared to regular varieties, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
Researchers have identified key agronomic traits for high yield in short-duration rice, which can enhance source capacity during grain filling. The new breeding lines yielded 11-38% higher than the most popular short-duration variety, indicating enormous potential for developing improved varieties.
High fluorine levels in New Zealand soils are toxic to Rhizobia bacteria, which fix atmospheric nitrogen for legume plants. However, the study found no impact on the crops or livestock in question.
Researchers found that sorghum performed better under drought conditions, producing more biomass with less water. Mixed with supplements, sorghum can achieve desirable feed quality and increase profitability without sacrificing nutrition.
A team of scientists investigated an unusual wetland soil in California, discovering its peculiar properties that misled initial classification. By analyzing color, water content, vegetation, and chemical composition, they applied a new method to accurately classify the soil as hydric, crucial for conservation.
Researchers argue that agriculture's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is overstated and may even have a net positive effect on the climate. Per Frankelius proposes seven measures to reduce emissions while advancing sustainable agriculture.
Researchers applied zinc foliar application to hard red spring wheat cultivars, increasing grain zinc concentration above the target level of 40 mg kg-1. The second application at flowering stage was necessary for this achievement, and price incentives are needed to motivate farmers to adopt biofortification.
Researchers found that GPS-guided tractors can reduce overlap and gaps in field coverage by up to 6% and 16%, respectively, leading to increased crop production and environmental benefits. This technology has the potential to be adopted by small farms, which currently lag behind larger producers in terms of technology adoption.
Research found that dynamic waterlogging enhances carbon dioxide emissions and depletes soil organic carbon. Microbes exhibit higher activity under fluctuating conditions, but not necessarily greater diversity.
The University of Minnesota has released the first food-grade wheatgrass variety, MN-Clearwater, allowing farmers to grow this beneficial crop. The new variety provides benefits such as reduced soil loss, fewer chemicals entering groundwater systems, and improved carbon storage, making it an attractive option for sustainable agriculture.
Research on crop residue management found that no-till and prescribed fire can affect nutrient availability and microbial activity in the soil. While prescribed fire showed some short-term benefits, its long-term influence is still unknown.
Researchers investigated potassium fertilization effects on pears in a long history of fertilizer use to establish critical levels. Higher K doses resulted in lower ethylene production and respiration rates, extending storage life.
A recent study by the American Society of Agronomy found that reusing chicken litter can deter growth of pathogens like Salmonella. Researchers discovered 'good' bacteria in used poultry litter can hinder Salmonella growth, providing new information on the relationship between litter environment and microbiome.
Researchers analyzed 23 years of data on native tallgrass prairie and crop-livestock systems in Oklahoma, finding that cropping systems increased nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The study highlights the importance of long-term research in understanding land management impacts on water quality.
Research reveals that incorporating cover crops with tillage increases mineralization of nutrients from cover crop biomass. However, results show mixed effects on corn-soybean grain yields when planted after cover crops, highlighting the need for suitable cover crop species selection to avoid yield reductions.
Researchers found that water rises up to 9 inches in the capillary fringe, controlling important functions like contaminant breakdown and carbon storage. The team also discovered that microbes behave differently depending on oxygen levels, requiring ideal conditions for decomposition.
Researchers found tepary bean offers rapid forage yields with a higher leaf-to-stem ratio, outperforming guar and soybean. Tepary bean is suggested as an alternate to soybean for producers, but further research is needed on its management strategies.
A recent study analyzed datasets on rice plants across Asia to predict traits based on genetics and environment. The researchers found patterns in temperature profiles and geographic distribution of genetic haplotypes, which suggest preferential adaptation to different temperature zones.
Researchers at Mississippi State University have successfully bred heat-tolerant annual ryegrass using recurrent phenotypic selection. The new germplasm can germinate and survive under high temperature stress conditions, allowing for late summer or early fall planting in the Southeast, increasing grazing days in winter and spring.
Researchers found that longer alfalfa harvest intervals in the southeastern US result in positive outcomes, with harvesting at 42-day intervals producing maximum productivity. Growing alfalfa in mixtures with tall fescue also yields greatest forage mass and nutritive value.
A recent study by Corteva Agriscience and universities across the US has determined the optimal seeding rate for soybean growers, providing help to reduce risk and optimize yield potential. The research found that farmers should increase seeding rates in areas of lower productivity and reduce them in areas of higher productivity.
Researchers developed a two-region soil-gas diffusivity model to characterize aggregated agricultural soils. The model accurately estimates gas diffusion and provides insights into greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers studied desert soil pores and found they determine water distribution and control a key resource in arid environments. The study's findings suggest that soil texture affects pore formation and reforming after disturbance, highlighting the importance of understanding these soils.
Researchers are studying salt deposits as a long-term disposal solution for high-level nuclear waste, which can create heat and radioactivity. The US Department of Energy is conducting thermal testing underground to test the safety and efficacy of salt formations in containing radionuclides.
Researchers found that a uniform grid-like pattern of crop sowing leads to higher yields (76% of trials) and fewer weeds (73% of trials). This approach can reduce herbicide use and fertiliser runoff, resulting in more sustainable agriculture.
Breeding methodologies can increase fructan levels in winter wheat cultivars without reducing genetic diversity. Researchers successfully developed wheat cultivars with increased fructan levels using recurrent genomic selection, providing a proof-of-concept for improving nutritionally enhanced crops.
New research finds that atrazine regulations have been successful in reducing overall concentration of atrazine in water. However, the rate of breakdown to less toxic compound DEA is influenced by soil microbes and climate. The study also shows that dry areas without tile drainage lead to faster breakdown of atrazine.
Soil microorganisms decompose organic nitrogen, releasing inorganic nitrogen for plant growth. The initial burst of microbial activity after CO2 flush is a key indicator of forthcoming soil nitrogen mineralization.
A newly developed wheat variety contains higher levels of fructans, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can promote healthy gut bacteria. The breeders used genomic selection to reduce the development time and cost of creating such a high-fructan wheat variety.
Researchers evaluated integrated crop-livestock systems in paddy fields, finding higher grain yields with lower fertilizer application. ICLS promotes nutrient cycling, leading to increased nutrient-use efficiency and reduced dependence on external inputs.
Researchers developed a new pinto bean variety, TARS-LH1, with increased resistance to leafhoppers and drought tolerance. The new crop has broad adaptation to different climates and could contribute to reducing pesticide use in common bean farming.
Research investigated cover crop biomass production and soil properties in the eastern Great Plains. Early-planted cover crops had minimal effects on soil properties after 4 years, with low biomass production.
Researchers have discovered that certain plant materials can help store more carbon in soils and reduce erosion. Using two-step experiments with biomass crops, they found that miscanthus and willow performed better than sorghum in storing long-term carbon, making sustainable farming on peatlands possible.