The UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture project is studying six niche crops: cut flowers, persimmons, blueberries, elderberries, garlic, and microgreens. The project aims to provide education and outreach to help Tennessee producers make informed decisions about marketing and sales.
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
Researchers at CABBI used unmanned aerial vehicles with machine learning methods to select the best candidate genotypes in miscanthus breeding programs. The new method leverages high-resolution aerial imagery and three-dimensional neural networks to estimate crop traits such as flowering time, height, and biomass production.
A new study found that cover crops grown concurrently with cash crops can effectively reduce weed biomass in California orchards. The researchers discovered that planting cover crops early in the growing season, when adequate moisture is available, results in predictable and abundant plant cover.
Researchers warn that UK wheat yields are vulnerable to increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to climate change. The study found that while warmer temperatures can benefit yields, multiple extreme weather events can lead to significant negative impacts on production.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
EURISCO is an international aggregated database documenting over 2 million plant genetic resources across 6,737 genera and 45,175 species. The catalogue provides a central entry point for information on crop diversity, facilitating access to data on crop improvement programmes.
Researchers created a new approach to predict genomic information in plant breeding, allowing for more diverse crop varieties. The strategy led to plants that outyielded current wheat varieties in multiple field trials, offering potential solutions to crop disease evolution and climate change.
Temporal variation in precipitation caused by climate change negatively affects crop growth, leading to declining yields and increasing reactive nitrogen losses. The study found that adjusting fertilizer application amounts can reduce nitrogen losses, but may not increase crop yields.
A new analysis of nutrient omission trial data reveals that balanced fertilizer application can significantly improve maize and rice yields in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that doubling current yields through balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can lead to more consistent results across regions.
New research highlights the importance of non-biting flies in transmitting diseases. These synanthropic flies ingest pathogens while feeding on human and animal waste, which they then store in their crop. When they regurgitate this content, it can spread illnesses to humans through food contact.
Researchers found that models using soil moisture explain 30-120% more year-to-year variation in yield than those relying on rainfall, revealing a critical link between temperature and water supply for crops. Extreme heat is less damaging to crop yields than previously estimated, while drought and flooding sensitivity increases.
A new study predicts that the disruption of crop production in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion will lead to increased global carbon emissions and food prices. However, other countries are stepping up their production to compensate for the loss, which may alleviate food insecurity but with significant environmental impacts.
Researchers at Aalto University suggest using crop residues and by-products in livestock and aquaculture production to free up human-usable material. This could increase the global food supply by up to 13% without increasing resource use or requiring major dietary changes.
Crop residue and pig manure slow down nitrogen release compared to synthetic fertilizer, reducing nitrogen loss through synchronized nutrient release and crop demand. Substituting up to 40% synthetic nitrogen with organic amendments can maintain high crop yield and significantly reduce nitrogen loss from sloping cropland.
Researchers found that crops bred for single-species systems rapidly adapt to growing alongside multiple species, leading to increased cooperation and productivity. The study suggests breeding plants to grow in mixed-species plots may improve yields and reduce the need for fertilizers and other harmful practices.
Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.
A new approach to composting in agriculture could improve crop yields, soil health, and divert biowaste from landfills, addressing global food security concerns. The study estimates PCS could boost annual global production of major cereal crops by 96 million tonnes.
Researchers suggest a new approach for regulating genetically engineered (GE) crops by examining the specific characteristics of the crop itself. The '-omics' methods can be used to scan new crop varieties for unexpected DNA changes, eliminating the need for safety testing if the product is substantially equivalent to existing varieties.
A recent study found that a single high-performing cover crop can effectively suppress weeds, even surpassing the benefits of mixtures containing multiple species. The research demonstrated that monoculture cover crops, such as buckwheat and oat, outperformed average mixtures in terms of productivity and weed suppression.
Accelerating photoprotection recovery in soybean plants has been shown to improve photosynthetic efficiency and biomass in field-grown tobacco plants. Researchers engineered the same change into the widely cultivated soybean plant, resulting in yield up to 33% higher than unmodified plants across 5 independent events.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to improve the water-use efficiency of field-grown plants by overexpressing a sugar-sensing enzyme in their leaves. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields and reduced reliance on irrigation, making it an attractive solution for farmers struggling with water scarcity.
Quantitative disease resistance is a promising approach to combat plant diseases, which cause an estimated 13% loss of global crop yields annually. Researchers aim to identify disease resistance mechanisms for important corn diseases and develop genetic resources for the broader maize genetics community.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that camelina, an ancient oilseed crop, may have been more important and widespread than previously thought, with origins in the Caucasus region near present-day Armenia. The study's findings support breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications, highlighting i...
Researchers have proposed a novel algorithm, InResSpectra, to accurately identify crop varieties using near-infrared spectroscopy. The model achieved high accuracy in identifying wheat and rice varieties, providing an effective method for authentic identification.
A new design of sustainable cropping diversifications has been established to balance economic, food security, and environmental performances in the North China Plain. The study evaluated 30 crop rotations using PCA and HCA, and employed differential evolution and Pareto optimization models to optimize diversified cropping systems.
A new Stanford University-led study reveals that reducing nitrogen oxides emissions by half can improve crop yields by up to 25% in certain regions. The analysis used satellite images to map NOx levels and their impact on agriculture, providing valuable insights into the effects of air pollution on food production.
A study in Hebei Province found low emergy sustainability index and high greenhouse gas emissions from maize production. The research suggests optimizing yield and nitrogen use efficiency gaps and promoting transition towards sustainable agriculture practices, such as adopting technologies like 4R technology and digital agriculture.
A recent study reveals that climate change has driven shifts in European grain production, with Eastern Europe taking on a greater role. The shift is attributed to technological advancements and global climate change, which have increased crop yields in the region.
Researchers have identified a novel factor, OsIAA6, involved in regulating leaf inclination in rice, which can lead to improved crop productivity. The study also reveals the auxin-BR signaling pathway crosstalk, providing new insights into plant growth and development.
Vertical farming enables crops to be grown in vertically stacked layers, conserving land and allowing for multiple harvests per year. This method can significantly reduce water requirements and chemical crop protection, while increasing yields through optimal growth conditions and technologies.
Scientists have discovered a novel protein NDB1 that inactivates MYB1, a key regulator of nitrogen assimilation in plants. This finding could lead to improved biomass production and crop yields by manipulating NDB1. Researchers are now exploring the potential to boost plant growth through NDB1 manipulation.
Researchers found that gene duplications can complicate crop improvements, with some plants showing little effect despite similar mutations. This study highlights the need to understand evolutionary changes in plant genomes to develop more predictable crop improvements.
Researchers have developed a simple, biodegradable ground cover that keeps soil wet longer and increases crop yields. The wax-coated sand barrier decreased soil moisture loss by up to 50-80% and improved plant growth, including increased fruit and grain production.
Researchers found that soybean plants adjacent to pollinator habitats produce larger seeds due to increased bee visitation. The presence of pollinators also influences the bee communities in soybean fields, with bees leaving for outside flowers less likely.
A recent ecosystem modeling study by Iowa State University scientists shows that US crop production has led to a tripling of soil nitrous oxide emissions since 1900. The study found that agricultural soils, particularly those devoted to corn and soybean production, are the primary source of these emissions.
A study reveals that the roller crimper technique improves agroecological crop performance, reduces environmental impact, and protects biodiversity. The technique creates a layer of plant waste on the crop surface without perturbing the soil.
Ammonium toxicity triggers reactive oxygen species formation in plant roots, causing inhibited root elongation. A newly identified gene, PDX1.1, plays a crucial role in vitamin B6 biosynthesis, which neutralizes oxidative stress and protects roots from ammonium-induced damage.
Researchers identified key mechanisms in Pseudomonas bacteria that protect potato crops from disease-causing bacteria. The study proposes a method for screening soil microbiome for therapeutic bacteria and boosting treatment.
Researchers from the University of Illinois developed a system using hyperspectral sensors on planes to quickly and accurately detect nitrogen status in corn crops. The technology achieved up to 85% accuracy and has potential for use in satellites, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about nitrogen side-dressing.
A new study by Texas A&M AgriLife researchers shows bioenergy sorghum can sequester significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide in soil, improving fertility. The crop's deep root system can reach untapped sources of water and nutrients, making it a sustainable option for biomass production.
A recent study suggests that dairy farmers in the Northeast can reduce environmental impacts and maximize revenues by implementing double cropping and subsurface injection of manure into the soil. These strategies reduced total nitrogen losses by 12-18% and total phosphorus losses by 16-19%.
A recent study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that climate change has contributed to a four-fold increase in crop pest and disease occurrence in China since the 1970s. The researchers attributed this rise to warmer night temperatures, which can foster an increased chance for pests and diseases.
A new study found that having crop insurance in Indiana discourages the use of cover crops, which promote soil health and productivity. However, the impact is relatively minor, with only a 0.494% reduction in cover crop adoption rates for each percentage point increase in crop insurance participation.
Researchers from SMART and TLL have developed a rapid Raman spectroscopy-based method to detect and quantify early bacterial infection in crops. This method enables non-invasive early diagnosis, which is crucial for plant disease management and agricultural productivity.
A Mediterranean region study predicts increased crop water demands due to worsening climate conditions, affecting staple crops like maize and wheat. The findings highlight the need for precision agriculture and water management strategies to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability.
A new study in India reveals that more than half of surveyed crop varieties are under threat of extinction, with 50% considered threatened across five different agroecological regions. The Varietal Threat Index methodology proposes a systematic way to monitor changes in varietal diversity on farms.
A new Illinois study compares performance of static and dynamic nitrogen recommendation tools, finding that complex dynamic tools do not consistently increase profits but offer a 15% reduction in nitrogen leaching. The researchers highlight the need to refine these tools and prioritize environmental outcomes over economic gains.
A NASA study published in Nature Food projects that climate change will affect crop yields as early as 2030. Maize yields are projected to decline by 24%, while wheat yields could increase by 17%. The changes are due to rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations.
A NASA/PIK study found that new climate conditions will push crop yields outside of their normal range in more regions, particularly in breadbasket areas. This could lead to severe losses for farmers unless they adapt quickly by changing planting dates or using different crop varieties.
A global review found that 80% of crop diversity loss is due to economic, agricultural, technological, climatic, and political changes. Conservation efforts can mitigate losses by strengthening ex-situ repositories and duplicating unique collections.
A new study explores maize diversity for fall armyworm resistance, revealing clear evidence of FAW resistance in diverse mechanisms across various landraces and crop wild relatives. The research calls for strategies to develop FAW-resistant maize varieties as a way forward to secure maize production and smallholder farmers' livelihoods.
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
A meta-analysis by the University of Basel found that no-till farming alone does not achieve desired results in sustainable agriculture. Retaining crop residues on fields after harvest prevails over no-till farming in promoting carbon storage, soil protection and increased yields.
A new report by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) suggests that accelerated adaptation can substantially reduce Egypt’s food production losses from climate change. Climate change-induced biophysical crop stress could lead to a 10% reduction in food crop yields by 2050, but investing in agricultural research and devel...
A new study reviews sustainability standards for crop and livestock production, finding moderate positive effects on the environment through reduced agrichemical use. However, economic benefits vary by region and standard, and assessments are complicated. The study also raises concerns about labor practices and inequalities in the rura...
Researchers identified climate-resilient root, tuber and banana crop varieties with flexible planting dates to adapt to warmer and wetter conditions. Cassava, banana, and sweet potato are most adaptable, while potato growing areas are vulnerable.
Researchers at UMD are developing CRISPR-Combo systems to improve genome editing and crop regeneration. The technology aims to reduce the time and cost of breeding new crop varieties with enhanced nutritional and agronomic traits.
Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment suggests that bioenergy crops can be produced on economically marginal land. The research team estimated that 1.4-2.2 million hectares in the rainfed region are suitable for bioenergy crop production on such land.