A joint Cuba/US research team discovered that Cuban fertilizer pollution is significantly lower than in the US's Mississippi River, with much lower phosphorus and nitrogen levels. The study suggests improved management strategies to reduce animal manure and sediment loads could further improve central Cuban river water quality.
Researchers at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) discovered a way to produce enough food for up to 10 billion people without compromising the Earth system. The study suggests that adopting more sustainable forms of agriculture can increase production in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and improve climate resilience.
Higher-density development with more impervious surfaces causes runoff, leading to increased water pollution. Agriculture also contributes significantly to water pollution, and anti-sprawl policies can prevent much-needed land-use changes that reduce pollution.
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a method to model the synchronization behaviors of different tree species using control parameters. They found that two populations of Zelkova serrata trees 20 kilometers apart were completely synchronized in a '3-year cycle', demonstrating the Period...
Midwest farmers adopting reduced tillage increased corn and soybean yields by 3.3% and 0.74%, respectively, while improving soil health and lowering production costs.
An international team of scientists found that adopting the Paris Agreement's emission reduction scenario would significantly limit global productivity losses for both fishing and agriculture. In contrast, a no-action scenario would lead to significant declines in productivity for most countries.
Researchers explore controlled environment agriculture as a means to address urban food systems, offering advantages such as year-round crop production and reduced energy consumption. The study highlights the potential for controlled environments to increase food security and support local economies.
No-till with cover crop systems have produced higher net returns than conventional till in Texas cotton systems. The practice also improves soil health, water storage, and long-term yield potential.
Researchers analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in fur samples from 29 species of mammals to measure the impact of agriculture on their diet. The study found that herbivores and omnivores inhabiting forest fragments consumed agricultural resources, while carnivores close to croplands preyed on prey that feed on these resources.
A new grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research aims to map the Asian longhorned tick's spread and provide farmers with mitigation strategies. The project involves a tick-surveillance network and will enhance awareness about the pest, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions.
Land restoration in Ethiopia has boosted crop yields and soil carbon, but increased runoff due to climate change threatens degradation. A combination of land restoration activities can increase crop yields by up to 170 percent.
Researchers use new mapping method to identify most vulnerable tropical forest areas, combining 45 years of satellite images with current land use data. The analysis reveals the impact of human activity, such as agriculture and infrastructure development, on deforestation and forest degradation.
Researchers from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture join a global call for responsible synthetic biology development. The authors highlight four major areas where improvements are needed to advance the field, including genome design, DNA synthesis, genome editing, and chromosome construction.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology discovered that hybrid plant cells induce programmed cell death due to protein aggregate accumulation. The study used imaging tools and a chemical chaperone to halt the process, paving the way for genetic improvement techniques to enhance crop varieties' disease resistance a...
Tennessee has been selected for a $454,000 Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grant from the USDA to help the state's dairy industry diversify product markets and improve farm income. The project aims to assist Tennessee dairy farmers in developing higher-value uses for dairy products through processing and marketing specialty products.
A study by Arizona State University found that urban agriculture can meet 90% of Phoenix's current annual fresh produce consumption. The city could also increase green space by 17% and reduce CO2 emissions by displacing energy use equivalent to 6,000 homes.
The adoption of ox-drawn plows led to a decoupling of wealth from labor, driving growing economic disparities between landowners and land-poor families. This transformation made land more valuable and labor less so, ultimately resulting in substantial wealth inequalities.
A new special issue of the Annals of the Entomological Society of America showcases research on insect agriculture for food and feed. More than 1 million insect species are known, offering room for growth in the field. Insect-based industries could reach $50-100 billion by 2050, bolstering global ag sector while protecting environment.
Air pollution from fine particulate matter is associated with premature mortality, with the US economy suffering $20 billion in damages annually. Policymakers should consider regulations that target the agriculture and transportation sectors to mitigate this issue.
The ASU/MCC project aims to develop an experiential learning course, fund master's-level students, and engage the community in addressing challenges at the urban-agriculture nexus. Students will conduct research on topics such as urban agriculture production systems and food safety.
New research suggests that understanding plant biological clocks can refine the use of chemicals like glyphosate, allowing for more efficient and sustainable agriculture practices. By applying treatments at optimal times, farmers can reduce herbicide usage, saving time and money while minimizing environmental harm.
Researchers analyze EU Commission's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform proposals and find they do not reflect public demand for sustainable agriculture or environmental goals. The CAP has the potential to support multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals but currently only contributes to two of them.
Researchers found that small-scale farming is destroying tropical forest wilderness in northeastern Peru, posing significant threats to biodiversity. The study highlights the need for careful management of remote areas and potential opportunities to link conservation with rural development efforts.
A recent study reveals that global agriculture is shifting towards monocultures, threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions. The majority of the world's fastest-growing crops rely on pollinators, which are under threat due to pesticides and habitat loss.
Research by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists found that irrigated farms in the region lower maximum temperatures by one to three degrees Fahrenheit on average, while increasing minimum temperatures up to four degrees. This cooling effect can significantly impact local climate, plant growth, and human health.
Researchers discovered that millet farmers from northern China introduced cold-tolerant barley to the plateau around 3600 years ago. This genetic legacy has contributed significantly to the current genetic landscape of Tibetans.
Research from the University of East Anglia finds that women's agricultural work has a negative impact on household nutrition, particularly due to reduced time for care work and seasonal energy deficits. This can lead to poor child- and household-level nutrition outcomes.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found a close relationship between vortex flow and pressure differences in the ventricles of the heart, which may signal heart dysfunction. The study suggests that these indicators could be used as new markers for cardiovascular dysfunction leading to heart failure.
Researchers discovered that wheat plants' sneezing off condensation can spread spore-borne diseases like wheat leaf rust, causing crop yield losses up to 20%. Condensation droplets can carry spores and jump high distances, potentially spreading disease across entire crops.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture faculty members received six awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi for their commitment to Extension and outreach work. The honors recognize their leadership and service in six categories, including Continued Excellence Award winner Janie Burney.
Researchers have developed a two-step process to more efficiently break down carbohydrates into their single sugar components, producing bioethanol or biobutanol for use as fuel. The process produces about 30% more sugars than traditional methods and has the potential to commercialize green fuel production.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have designed a sequential synthesis sequence to create intricate molecules with various practical applications. The new method enables the efficient production of complex organic compounds, overcoming previous challenges related to bulkiness and instability.
A new review finds that agriculture and food systems must undergo significant changes to limit warming to 2 degrees C. Efforts should focus on reducing emissions from agriculture, food loss and waste, and meat and dairy production, while supporting smallholder farmers through climate-smart agriculture and social safety nets.
Researchers found that a nonlethal dose of insecticide curtailed the lives of bees by up to 50% and altered the behavior of worker bees when combined with a fungicide, potentially jeopardizing colony survival. The study suggests that the impact of pesticides on bees could be worse than previously thought.
A new blueprint for animal genomics research prioritizes improvements in efficiency, livestock welfare and production to meet the demands of a growing global population. The research focuses on using genomic technology to predict how environmental variation and management practices affect production.
A new study warns that Colombia's rice production may shift to higher altitudes without climate action, with potential losses of 4.4 million hectares of arable land by the 2050s. The research highlights the need for complex decisions on land-use change and crop cultivation to ensure food security.
A study of Agta hunter-gatherers in the Philippines found that those who adopt farming work around 10 hours a week longer than their forager neighbours, impacting women's lives disproportionately. The research suggests that agriculture may not represent progress as previously thought.
A rapidly expanding invasive species, wild pigs are threatening Canada's environment and agriculture. The species has spread across the country, from British Columbia to Ontario and Quebec, causing significant risks to farming and livestock production.
A team at UTIA will determine key parameters for efficient logistics systems using innovative approaches, including evaluating alternative preprocessing technologies and modeling techno-economic analyses. The study aims to expedite commercialized cellulosic biofuel production by balancing cost and quality in feedstock logistics.
A study by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture reveals that Vietnam can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through affordable agricultural practices, increasing productivity, and reducing inputs. Implementing these measures could eliminate up to 51% of p...
The research team developed a novel heating technology using a microwave-induced wireless lamp, achieving high-quality crystallization of amorphous silicon films with improved efficiency. The system uses an electrodeless lamp that absorbs microwave energy without electrical wiring, resulting in energy saving and durability.
The Ohio River Basin's freshwater fish species richness has increased significantly over the past 57 years, with a positive trend observed from 1957-2014. This change is attributed to environmental modifications related to land use and hydrology alterations, resulting in more fish species feeding on plant matter and detritus.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology identify molecular mechanism behind Bombinin H2 and H4 peptides' antimicrobial properties. The peptides inhibit microbial activity by creating holes in cell membranes, ultimately killing microorganisms.
A new study found that small-scale land use can significantly improve biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, even with minimal non-crop habitat.
Researchers at MIT's Media Lab have created basil plants with enhanced flavor and potential health benefits using computer algorithms. The team used hydroponic containers with controlled environmental conditions to grow the plants, which were then analyzed for volatile compounds. Machine learning algorithms evaluated millions of possib...
The GeoFarmer app enables smallholder farmers to collect and share vital information on climate-related agricultural interventions. Farmers produced tens of thousands of data points despite limited internet connectivity, demonstrating the app's potential to increase communication and empower farmers.
A recent study by Elic Weitzel found that humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture in response to changes in their environment, including declining food sources and shifting climates. The research analyzed animal bones and pollen data from Eastern United States sites, revealing a link between population growth and ...
Heather Sedges Wallace, a family life specialist at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been recognized with a national Early Career Achievement Award. Her award-winning research focuses on addressing human issues from a systems-based perspective, particularly technology's influence on daily life.
This research project investigates how urban gardens impact ecosystems by analyzing soil health, microbe populations, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings will inform policymakers and growers on how to make better land use decisions.
A study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) finds that technological advances in agriculture are not sufficient to address biodiversity loss, which is driven by population and economic growth. The research highlights the need for policies addressing these factors to mitigate biodiversity decline.
Researchers found genetic evidence of malaria's emergence in Sub-Saharan Africa dating back to at least 20,000 years ago. The study challenges the long-held assumption that agriculture led to the spread of malaria.
Researchers at Lund University have identified 32 key variables that are prioritized by all three groups: researchers, policymakers, and farmers. These variables focus on drivers related to policies, farm management choices, and environmental outcomes. The study highlights the need for alignment between research, policy, and practice t...
The study provides a baseline for SLCMV in Southeast Asia, highlighting the need for disease-resistant varieties and rapid epidemic management. The potential impact of a widespread outbreak is currently unknown due to varying cassava varieties across regions.
A recent breakthrough in plant growth has increased crop yields by 40% by creating a shortcut for a glitch that plagues most food crops. This technology, part of the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project, aims to improve photosynthesis and boost worldwide food productivity.
A recent study found that about half of US consumers have positive attitudes towards genetically modified food, while nearly 14% have negative perceptions. The survey also revealed that demographics such as age and education level play a role in shaping opinions on GM science.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $295,000 USDA grant to develop data-based agriculture solutions. The project aims to prepare students for careers in agriculture-related fields and promote sustainable farming practices.
A University of Vermont study found that farmers' spring and summer decisions on manure application can increase greenhouse gas emissions during winter. The research highlights the importance of considering long-term effects of management decisions, as agriculture is expected to expand in northern regions with warming climates.
Tyson Raper, a University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture assistant professor, was honored as the 2019 Beltwide Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year. He has led the university's education and research efforts involving cotton production, working closely with producers and industry groups.
Agricultural technology is transforming food production, but responsible innovation is crucial to address potential environmental, ethical, and social costs. Researchers argue that policy-makers, funders, and innovators must consider the impacts on farming communities and wider society.
A Cornell University-led study finds that Midwest agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with a clear escalation in climate sensitivity between the 1960s and '70s and more recent years. The region's reliance on rain-fed crops and specialization in crop production contribute to this vulnerability.