Researchers at Montana State University are leading a multi-pronged approach to control bindweed and creeping thistle, two chief hardships in organic farming. The four-year, $2 million grant aims to develop effective management strategies that preserve soil health.
A study in Central America, Africa, and Asia finds that implementing simple climate-resilient strategies can increase yields, benefit the environment, and increase farmer income. The research proposes site-specific techniques, such as crop rotation and organic fertilization, which have estimated rates of return ranging from 17% to 590%.
A new report from 130 national academies warns of a catastrophic failure of global food systems, which contribute up to 25% to greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for climate-smart agriculture, incentives for consumers to change their diets, and innovative foods to address the root causes of the failing system.
A new indicator reveals that less than 3% of evaluated species are classified as 'low priority' or 'sufficiently conserved.' Wild coffee plants, Christmas trees, and chocolate's tree are among those in need of protection. The study highlights the urgent need for international conservation targets to meet ambitious goals.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B highlights citizen science's potential to tackle pressing research questions in agriculture and food systems. Citizen science has been used to produce scientifically robust findings, engage the public, and make research projects more cost-effective.
Researchers found that female Asian black bears' teeth have narrower layers when they're raising cubs, indicating a decrease in reproductive success. This study provides a new tool to monitor and manage bear populations by analyzing tooth growth patterns.
Researchers developed intelligent spray technology that uses laser and sensors to apply exact amount of pesticide needed, reducing costs by up to 70%. The technology also reduces environmental impact by minimizing drift and loss to the ground.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have discovered that a catalyst poison can be transformed into an efficient ligand by introducing a substituent. This finding has significant implications for the design of ligands for homogeneous catalysts, enabling the acceleration of catalytic reactions.
The Southern Risk Management Education Center named two University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) projects among its top three for 2018. Advanced Online Marketing Strategies helped 567 farmers reach customers, while Implementing Biosecurity measures positively impacted producers to the tune of $328,000.
Up to 15 million hectares of Brazilian Amazon are at risk of losing legal protection due to agricultural growth, which could lead to valuable natural ecosystems and biodiversity loss. The study suggests that revising the law or implementing non-deforestation commitments could mitigate this issue.
A new study found that climate change drove the Harappans to resettle in smaller villages in the Himalayan foothills. The research, led by Liviu Giosan, suggests that changing weather patterns made agriculture difficult near cities, leading to a massive migration.
A new study reveals that a specific long non-coding RNA named SAMMSON interacts with protein CARF in growing melanoma cells, rewiring their protein synthesis networks and promoting cell growth. This interaction helps melanoma cells avoid inducing cell death when they experience abnormalities in ribosome synthesis.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have sped up electron movement in organic semiconductor films by two to three orders of magnitude. By introducing polystyrene, they found enhanced hole mobility, a critical factor for developing more efficient solar devices.
The study found that Andean populations adapted to agriculture and high-altitude environments differently from other global populations. They experienced significant population reduction after European contact, while also showing selection for immune-related genes.
A new study reveals that urban farmers in African cities are unknowingly spreading disease by irrigating vegetables with wastewater rich in virulent human pathogens. The risk of spreading bacteria and antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals is high, posing a significant health threat to millions of people.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a simple technique to identify Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) earlier using nanopore technology and DNA computing. The method recognizes specific microRNA patterns associated with SCLC, enabling early detection without invasive cell biopsies.
UTIA Chancellor Tim Cross has been recognized for his exceptional service as an Extension educator and leader. He received the 2018 Distinguished Service Ruby Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi, honoring his contributions to Extension and outreach work.
Researchers at UT Institute of Agriculture will modify potato plants to detect and report potential threats such as nerve agents, radiation, and plant pathogens. The goal is to innovate a new sensor platform that can help protect deployed troops and civilians in post-conflict settings.
A research team led by the University of Nevada, Reno will investigate how changes in mountain snowpack affect available water and agricultural production in the West. The project aims to inform decision-makers on adapting to long-term changes in runoff timing and develop more effective water management practices.
A research team led by University of Nevada, Reno is investigating how changes in mountain snowpack affect available water and agricultural production in the arid West. The project aims to improve decision-making for water allocation and understand its impact on the economic well-being of various groups.
A new multi-campus initiative funded by NSF aims to explore the intersection of agriculture, food, and technology. Researchers will investigate novel solutions such as lab-grown meat and drones that monitor plant stress to address challenges in sustainable food production.
Lone Oaks Farm in Tennessee will receive a $1 million challenge grant from FedEx Corp to establish a STEM Education Center. The center will provide youth education and 4-H activities, with the goal of igniting excitement about STEM among students.
A new study suggests that high-yield farming systems can produce fewer pollutants, cause less soil loss, and consume less water than previously believed. However, the authors caution that if higher yields are used solely for profit or lower prices, they will only accelerate the extinction crisis.
A new map of daily light integrals has been created by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, providing guidance for greenhouse managers on local light regimes and supplemental lighting requirements. The updated maps use recent solar radiation data from 1998 to 2012, offering higher resolution and more precise data.
Kansas State University scientists have cracked the wheat code, unlocking a detailed description of the bread wheat genome. The high-quality reference genome sequence will help produce wheat varieties with higher yields, enhanced nutritional quality, and improved sustainability to meet future demands of a growing global population.
A proposed four-pillar strategy aims to drastically change consumption patterns, ensuring agricultural production and supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development. The transformation hinges on renewing food system governance, prioritizing human development, food security, and rational resource management.
A group of international researchers calls for a comprehensive transformation of food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate. The proposed four-pillar strategy prioritizes nutritious food access, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and rural renaissance.
Dr. Michael O. Smith, a UTIA professor of poultry production, has been elected a Fellow in the Poultry Science Association for his professional distinction and contributions to the field. He is one of five members elected at any given meeting, recognizing his contributions without longevity considerations.
Researchers found genetic variation in pea plant variants to be crucial for developing beneficial microbial partnerships, leading to improved growth. This discovery holds promise for reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Research by Hokkaido University found that abandoned farmlands, particularly those without surrounding forests, benefit wetland and grassland birds. The study also revealed that landscape structure affects bird communities differently.
A new IIASA-led research suggests that climate mitigation schemes in agriculture could lead to more widespread hunger and food insecurity than the direct impacts of climate change. The study highlights the need for smarter, inclusive policies that prioritize development goals alongside emissions reduction.
The EcoProMIS project aims to provide commercially viable solutions for sustainable agriculture in Colombia by combining space data with smart sensors and real-time information. Farmers will benefit from increased productivity and reduced environmental footprints, thanks to a public-private partnership supported by the UK Space Agency.
The SunTrust Foundation has awarded the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture a $300,000 grant to expand its financial literacy program, On My Own, which already reaches over 30,000 students annually. The program uses simulation-based challenges to teach students about managing family income and make real-life decisions.
Researchers found charred food fragments at a Natufian site in northeastern Jordan dating back to 14,600 years ago, exhibiting characteristics of bread-like products. The discovery suggests that bread was made 4,000 years before the emergence of agriculture, but noncereal foods remained a staple during the Natufian period.
Researchers found that enforcing Brazil's Forest Code will not hinder agricultural growth, but rather require intensification of cattle farming to reduce deforestation. The code aims to protect native vegetation, reducing loss by 53.4 million ha and increasing forest restoration.
Researchers found the sandy soils in Chaco Canyon were suitable for agriculture, suggesting the ancestral Puebloans were self-sufficient. The most significant challenge was irrigation, where they demonstrated adroit farming skills and land management.
A new research group at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will study the global impacts of agriculture on climate change and focus on reducing nitrous oxide emissions. The team, led by Dr. Clemens Scheer, aims to develop joint standards for measurement and modeling.
A study published in Science Advances found that ancient agricultural activity caused significant changes to soil nutrients and plants, leading to a lasting effect on the environment. Researchers analyzed animal bones from 90 archaeological sites in Ireland and discovered an increase in deforestation and agriculture during the Bronze Age.
Agriculture arose from moments of environmental surplus and improving conditions, where populations lived in greater densities. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, reveals common patterns across 12 centers of origin, with maps predicting global population densities dating back thousands of years.
Researchers are working to develop commercially valuable products from plant materials, including chemicals, fuels and industrial materials. The goal is to make biobased products more cost-effective by using lignin and other plant components.
Seong-Hoon Cho, a UTIA researcher, will spend six months in South Korea designing the country's framework for forest carbon sequestration payments. The project aims to optimize risk/reward trade-offs and encourage forest carbon sequestration through innovative economics and finance modeling.
A study by Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology reveals that live-cell imaging can detect chromosomal abnormalities in bovine IVF embryos, increasing pregnancy success rates. The technique identifies half of morphologically transferable embryos as having nuclear/chromosomal abnormalities, which may lead to abortion.
Researchers evaluated aquaculture feed and land use requirements in a simulation-based study, finding that future aquaculture production needs to be four times higher than current levels. An aquaculture-dominant diet reduces feed-crop requirements and land use compared to meat-based agriculture.
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research has awarded a $5 million grant to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to develop and adopt water and energy-efficient irrigation technologies. The grant will be matched by project partners, totaling $10 million over five years. Researchers will focus on precision application systems, weather pre...
The European Academies' Science Advisory Council calls for a 'food systems approach' to address negative impacts of climate change on food systems. The report highlights the need for policy coherence, consumer behavior changes, and technological innovations to improve food sustainability.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a way for plants to 'hedge their bets' by germinating seeds at different times, reducing variability in agriculture. By understanding this process, farmers may be able to increase potential yields and address agronomic challenges.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $4.7 million to support food safety education for producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The funding will provide customized training to small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, and socially-disadvantaged farmers.
Agricultural nitrogen runoff has created a massive oxygen-deprived 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico, taking decades to recover even if eliminated. The area would need to reach 5,000 km² by 2050 to mitigate effects, an unrealistic goal given current unsustainable levels.
A study finds that intensive agriculture facilitates sociopolitical hierarchy in cultural evolution. The results suggest a reciprocal relationship between the two traits, with each facilitating development of the other to a comparable extent.
Archaeological evidence from P?narba?? and Boncuklu in Turkey suggests indigenous people adopted agriculture on a small scale, possibly for non-economic reasons. The findings indicate the spread of agriculture was not uniform throughout central Anatolia.
A study of 155 Austronesian societies found that intensive agriculture and social hierarchies were not causally linked, but rather part of a feedback loop. The results challenge the widely held view that material changes drive social evolution.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a cell-sized mold to create gelatin gels that are 10 times stiffer than regular gels. The findings reveal that the increase in β sheet structure from interaction with lipid membranes is the key factor behind this increased stiffness.
A team of researchers has developed an algorithm that uses GPS tracking and data analytics to optimize the harvesting of hand-picked crops. By analyzing the movement of each worker in real-time, the algorithm can predict the amount of completed boxes and improve overall efficiency.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $2.6 million to support innovative ideas in agriculture and food production through the Exploratory Research Grants (ERG) program. The grants aim to develop proof of concept for untested ideas that will lead to positive disruption of the agricultural norm.
A global scientific review finds that systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids are not as effective as once thought and can be replaced by alternative pest-management strategies. The study identifies diverse approaches, including ecological corridors, crop rotation, and biocontrol, to reduce environmental harm.
Kimberly L. Jensen, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has received the SAEA's Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to agricultural economics and Southern agriculture. She is recognized for her research interests in bioenergy economics, agribusiness, and environmental labeling.
A MSU team is working to support Latino migrant farmers in Michigan by providing training and resources to improve farming practices. The project aims to increase the sustainability of small-scale farms, particularly those owned by Latino farmers, who are increasingly transitioning from industrial farms to independent land ownership.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a device that can generate microjets with high viscosity, similar to honey. This innovation overcomes the limitation of current inkjet printing methods, allowing for more precise control over fluid flow and properties.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have identified key drivers of herbicide resistance in crops, including higher volumes of herbicide use. The study found that farms using more herbicides had greater resistance, highlighting the need for diversifying management techniques to reduce evolution of resistance.
A new study reveals that increased corn and soybean production in the Midwest led to significantly cooler and wetter summers. The research suggests a strong correlation between agricultural intensification and regional climate changes.