Researchers found that no-till production farmers can reduce herbicide use by implementing integrated weed-management practices, such as high-residue cultivation and seeding companion crops. Despite increased weed pressure, crop yields and profits were not significantly affected.
A new global risk index highlights the alarming decline of pollinators, which are crucial for food production and ecosystem services. The top causes of pollinator loss include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change, with serious consequences for human populations, particularly in the Global South.
A Hebrew University study reveals that as worldwide lead production increases, so do rates of lead absorption in people, leading to toxic effects. The research uses ancient human bones to show the close relationship between lead production and human exposure.
A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers suggests that crop insurance can serve as a disincentive for farmers to adopt climate change mitigation measures. The study found that higher levels of crop insurance participation increase the variability of crop yields due to warmer temperatures, making farming riskier. Po...
A team of researchers from the University of York has identified a new class of enzymes that enable crop pathogens to break through plant cell walls and infect plants. The discovery could lead to effective disease control technologies and protect crops from devastating diseases such as potato late blight.
The study assembles 26 different genetic lines of corn, providing a comprehensive understanding of the crop's genetic mechanisms. This new reference data will help scientists identify genes likely to lead to improved crop performance.
Research suggests climate change will increase disease pressure in some regions and reduce it in others. Model projections indicate that rising temperatures will boost yields in temperate areas while having little effect on tropical regions.
The institute will develop predictive digital twins of individual crop plants and entire farm fields, integrating real-time data from sensors to optimize crop growth. By leveraging expertise in plant sciences, engineering, and technology, AIIRA aims to accelerate agricultural productivity and sustainability.
PlantwisePlus will test new interventions in 6-7 countries to reduce crop losses and empower farmers to increase incomes, food security, and food safety through sustainable approaches. The program aims to accelerate the availability of nature-positive plant protection products and create employment to support economic development.
A University of Illinois study finds that US corn and soybean varieties have become more resilient to extreme heat and drought but less adapted to normal weather patterns, leading to reduced productivity. The researchers call for crop breeders to focus on developing crop varieties for diverse weather patterns.
Researchers found that warmer nights alter the rice plant's biological schedule, causing hundreds of genes to be expressed earlier or later than usual. This disrupts the finely tuned timing necessary for optimal yield, leading to crop losses.
A study finds that cropland redistribution to marginal lands undermines environmental sustainability, increasing wind erosion, irrigation water consumption, fertilizer use, and decreasing natural habitats. The study suggests restricting land reclamation and boosting crop yields for both food security and environmental benefits.
A new study published in PNAS predicts that changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grain production by up to 70% within the next 15 years. The study identifies a combination of technological innovations, including digital agriculture, crop genetics, and electrification, as key drivers of this reduction.
A green transition roadmap for emissions-reducing technologies could achieve net negative emissions through optimized fertilizer application, low-emission alternatives, and system redesign. This plan aims to generate environmental benefits while fulfilling societal functions in row crop agriculture.
Researchers found a significant reduction in galling on plant roots after incorporating beer bagasse and rapeseed cake into the soil with fresh cow manure. The treatment also boosted populations of beneficial microorganisms and increased crop yields by around 15% compared to control plots.
Researchers found a correlation between heat stress, sun-induced fluorescence, and grain quality, affecting soybean crop yield. The technique may help identify more heat-resistant crops and aid farmers in selecting suitable crops for the U.S. Corn Belt.
New research by Aalto University warns that climate change could push a third of global food production out of safe climatic space if greenhouse gas emissions continue growing unchecked. The study assesses the impact of climate change on crop production and livestock, highlighting regions most vulnerable to changes.
Researchers at USask have sequenced the tepary bean genome to study its heat stress tolerance and disease resistance. The study aims to combine traits of tepary and common beans to create a more sustainable crop variety.
A new study estimates that US food production is responsible for 16,000 annual deaths due to poor air quality, primarily from animal production. Improving animal and crop management practices, as well as eating more plant-rich diets, can substantially reduce mortality from food-related air pollution.
A novel matrix-based slow-release urea was developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency in rice production, reducing nitrogen loss and increasing soil nitrogen availability. The new fertilizer showed significant agronomic nitrogen efficiency gains and improved rice yields.
Researchers developed a way to fuse high-resolution satellite data into one integrated product to track soil and plant conditions. The technology aims to redefine drought based on plant-centric metrics and provide precision irrigation with high accuracy, addressing farmer adoption challenges.
A study suggests that targeting plants' internal clocks, known as circadian clock genes, can lead to higher yields and more sustainable farming practices. By matching the plant's natural rhythms with optimal growing conditions, farmers can reduce resources required and apply treatments at precise times for improved efficiency.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests that dairy farmers can reduce nitrous oxide emissions from corn crops by applying manure after planting and using organic nitrogen amendments. The results show that this approach can lower total nitrogen application and mitigate climate change, while also protecting water quality.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.
A new study shows that incorporating legumes into traditional crop rotations can significantly reduce environmental impacts while increasing nutritional value for humans and livestock. Legumes are a sustainable source of nitrogen, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and providing protein, fiber, and vitamins.
A recent study from Spain suggests that deficit irrigation can be a sustainable practice for almond production in the long term. Despite significant investments and water scarcity, the study found that trees subjected to severe deficit irrigation maintained stable productivity over six years.
A new metric, STAR, measures the impact of human activities on biodiversity, revealing that conserving 9% of land could reduce global extinction risk by half. By abating threats in key areas, companies and countries can report reductions in species loss and contribute to the global biodiversity target.
Assistant Professor Xin Zhang received a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how to align stakeholder interests with nitrogen reduction goals. The research aims to improve decision-making and develop innovative solutions for sustainable nitrogen management.
Researchers have grown shrub willow on a semi-commercial scale to better understand its nuances as a bioenergy crop. Key findings include determining the best varieties to plant and how to handle planting and harvesting. The study also highlights the crop's ability to store carbon, host pollinators, and provide ecosystem services.
A recent study assesses global market flows and shows that biodiversity conservation is essential to sustain consumption patterns. The researchers discovered a strong link between the expansion of cropland in developing countries and loss of pollinator habitats, highlighting the need for collaborative governance strategies to balance i...
Researchers found that considering soil organic matter improves water retention, mitigating crop yield losses from drought. Including this data in insurance premiums could reduce liabilities by 36% while increasing corn yields by 35 bushels per acre.
A global study found that diverse communities of pollinators provide more stable pollination services to nearby crops over time. This suggests that land management techniques that support pollinator diversity, such as wildflower areas and crop rotations, can help maintain long-term benefits to food production.
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
Developed countries heavily rely on imported pollination services from developing nations with high crop export rates, indicating a global dependence on biodiversity. Countries that export most pollinator-dependent crops also experience fastest cropland expansion and highest biodiversity decline rates.
Research from the University of Minnesota finds that atmospheric drying significantly reduces crop productivity even under well-watered conditions. Plants respond by growing smaller and more resistant to drought, but this also leads to decreased productivity in photosynthesis and seed production.
A two-year study in Brazil found that fertilizing a grass cover crop with potassium improved cotton fiber quality, leading to higher market value. The technique also reduced production cost by optimizing operational logistics and conserving water.
A team of researchers measured the importance of CO2 obstacles in plant cells to improve crop productivity. The study highlights promising targets, including cell wall thickness, and found that variables like chloroplast area are less relevant.
A new collection of genetic data helps breeders understand yam characteristics, reducing the need for trial and error. The catalog provides valuable information on physical traits, such as stem number and tuber weight, to inform breeding decisions.
Researchers found a 15% reduction in total nitrogen losses, 14% reduction in total phosphorus losses, and 39% reduction in sediment losses through crop reallocation simulations. This approach could be a potential path to restoring the Chesapeake Bay.
A new study found that elephants are crop-raiding closer to protected areas in Kenya, more frequently, but causing less damage. This trend is linked to climate change and land-use changes, reducing support for conservation in affected communities.
A 13-year analysis of wheat rust outbreaks in Ethiopia reveals long-term trends and hotspots, potentially leading to improved surveillance and control efforts. The study found a 'boom-and-bust' outbreak cycle due to genetic resistance breakdowns, emphasizing the importance of sustained pest management for food security.
Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis are developing crop plants with improved photosynthesis, aiming to increase Australian cereal crop production and address climate change. The center has identified promising germplasm lines and published over 300 scientific papers on the topic.
Researchers have produced a high-quality reference sequence of the complex switchgrass genome using samples from 10 experimental gardens across eight states. This allows breeders to test what genes affect the plant's adaptability to various environmental conditions and associate climate adaptations with switchgrass biology.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that large-scale land acquisitions intended to boost food security had little to no benefit, instead threatening local food security in some areas. The study analyzed satellite imagery, agricultural surveys, and household dietary datasets across four continents between...
A CABBI study shows energy sorghum behaves more like perennial miscanthus in its efficient use of water and light to produce abundant biomass. Energy sorghum has higher nitrogen emissions than maize but can be managed with careful fertilizer, offering a middle-road crop solution.
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.
A study suggests that 96% of US crop wild relatives require high conservation priority due to limited understanding of their geographic distribution and current conservation status. Conservation action is needed in taxonomic hotspots across the country to safeguard these genetic resources for breeding and food security.
A recent study by UFZ researchers highlights the importance of both crop diversity and temporal production patterns in ensuring food security. The analysis reveals that countries with high production stability and asynchrony, such as India and China, are better equipped to mitigate the impact of global market uncertainties.
A US study found a decline in water usage for most crops and livestock production due to climate change and shifts in consumer demand. Water use decreased by 8.3% for irrigation, but increased for oilseed crops driven by international supply-chain linkages.
A recent study published in Nature Food found that countries have a significant impact on nitrogen pollution, often multiple times greater than their effect on crop yields. Countries can curb fertiliser use without compromising yield by adjusting institutions, economic development, population size, and farm production processes.
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.
Research by Ashley Larsen and Frederik Noack found that less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use, while more diverse landscapes reduce pesticide application. The study suggests strategies for increasing food production while minimizing environmental impact.
A Cornell University-led team is developing more sustainable organic farming practices that balance productivity, environmental impact, and growers' quality of life. The project uses cover crops like rye to suppress weeds and reduce soil degradation.
Increasing diversity in crop production improves biodiversity and ecosystem services, while maintaining crop yields. Diversification practices like crop rotation, intercropping, and reduced tillage can enhance pollination, pest regulation, and soil fertility.
A 30-year review of climate experiments found that C3 crops' yields may increase by 18% with adequate nutrients and water, but quality losses and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases are also expected. Genetic solutions and bioengineering can help mitigate negative effects, but developing new crop cultivars is time-consuming.
Researchers found that recycled wastewater achieved the best overall results for crop development, yield, and water productivity. Deficit irrigation strategies at 80% capacity also performed well, ensuring maximum water efficiency while maintaining excellent crop growth and yield levels.
Researchers at Stanford University found that US corn yields have become significantly more sensitive to drought conditions due to changes in soil moisture retention. This shift is likely driven by increased crop water needs and the adoption of drought-tolerant varieties.
A University of Saskatchewan-led team has developed a mathematical model to identify the most resilient lentil varieties against climate change. The model uses factors like temperature and photoperiod to predict which lines will perform well in new regions, supporting global food security.
A new study shows early-terminated rye can effectively suppress weeds in edamame without harming the crop, increasing yield and reducing contamination. However, other crops like lima bean may not benefit from this approach due to their nitrogen-fixing limitations.
Researchers establish relationship between soil nitrogen at different growth stages and corn yield, finding a tradeoff between productivity and environmental impact. Soil nitrogen explains majority of grain yield variation, with optimal levels resulting in 22% yield increase.