A new paper by Dr Michael Weale from King's College London argues that Patrick Matthew deserves recognition alongside Darwin and Wallace as an originator of evolution by natural selection. Matthew's work, published in 1831, captures a valuable aspect of the theory that wasn't clear in Darwin's version.
Researchers found that plants like peppermint take up high concentrations of nicotine from cigarette smoke and contaminated soils. This discovery may explain the presence of high levels of nicotine in spices, herbal teas, and medicinal plants.
A recent study published in Nature Plants found that climate change is reducing soybean yields across the United States, with an average decline of 2.4% for every one-degree rise in temperature. The study suggests that soybean farmers can minimize yield losses by adopting practices such as earlier planting and no-till farming.
Researchers found that soils with rich organic material and low phosphate absorption show low radiocesium interception potential. Soils with high clay or silt content adsorb radiocesium more readily due to higher mica content.
Researchers found that glyphosate-resistant kochia has duplicated several EPSPS copies on a single chromosome, enabling it to survive higher doses of the herbicide. This increase in gene copies has created a nonsustainable way of controlling kochia with glyphosate-only programs.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research found that water is the biggest factor affecting corn silage quality in the region. Irrigation levels between 65-75% of evapotranspiration resulted in decreased yield and quality.
A new study reveals that crop productivity has increased by as much as 25% over the past five decades, contributing to a 50% rise in CO2 seasonality. The research highlights the impact of human activities on the Earth's atmosphere, particularly through intensive agricultural management.
Researchers found that fine particles eroded from riverbanks were the main source of phosphorus in Lake Pepin sediment before 1850. After 1850, riverbanks absorbed P from polluted river water, contributing to increasing phosphorus concentrations. Upgrading sewage treatment plants is crucial to controlling phosphorus pollution upstream.
Researchers found Madison's urban heat island effect peaks in summer, with downtown averaging 7 degrees warmer at night and 3 degrees warmer during the day compared to rural areas. The study also highlights the impact of snow cover and vegetation on temperature differences between urban and rural areas.
Researchers identified a set of genes that can be used to naturally boost the provitamin A content of corn kernels, enabling biofortified orange corn production. This could help combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries and macular degeneration in the elderly, with potential applications for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A review of over 150 studies reveals that optimal nitrogen-phosphorus and nitrogen-potassium ratios are crucial for high-yielding corn production. Achieving these balanced nutrient uptake ratios can lead to significant yield increases regardless of the region where the corn is grown.
New research reveals that plants use mechanical stimulation to respond to beneficial fungi and bacteria, enabling mutual exchanges of signals. This mechanism is essential for the symbiotic relationships between plants and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as legumes with rhizobia.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a soybean gene that affects plant stem growth, leading to improved soybean cultivars for the northern United States. The discovery could result in semideterminate soybeans that are better suited to the region's climate and growing conditions.
Researchers propose combining 'fertigation' and decentralized water treatment with drip irrigation to create 'tailored' water containing high levels of nitrate. This approach aims to reduce waste and increase efficiency in lawn care, but further study is needed to address potential challenges.
A recent study found that organic farms support more plant and bee species than conventional farms, particularly in arable fields. However, adding structural elements like woods and hedges can increase habitats and promote biodiversity on farms.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a novel method for studying plant growth using LEGO bricks, creating controlled micro-environments that can be easily replicated worldwide. The innovative approach allows for the simultaneous testing of various environmental factors, such as nutrients, water, and oxygen gradients.
A recent study reveals that grain legume crops are a valuable source of essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and nickel. The research found that these crops can provide up to 100% of the recommended daily allowance for certain micronutrients per serving.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are using drones to take aerial pictures of crops, allowing them to detect areas of stress and nutrient deficiencies more efficiently. The drones equipped with multispectral cameras can identify problem areas, enabling farmers to target scouting in those specific areas and optimize crop yields.
The project evaluated environmental technologies on livestock farms in the Atlantic Area, focusing on reducing emissions and improving waste management. Collective treatments in waste treatment and use have been found to be effective.
Adding camelina or safflower to crop rotations with winter wheat and summer fallow increases wind erosion risk in the Pacific Northwest. No-till fallow or planting another crop without a fallow year can help control blowing dust.
A new modeling tool, GAMCAF, predicts a 40% increase in potato production across the ESR and identifies key factors affecting yields, such as soil quality and water management. The platform aims to optimize regional food production and improve food security for consumers, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Biologists at Newcastle University use 'confusion effect' to temporarily disorient whiteflies, reducing their ability to feed on tomato plants. The study suggests a potential new method for sustainable pest control, using harmless plant volatiles to give plants time to defend themselves.
Researchers found that soil pH, iron concentrations, and total cadmium levels are excellent predictors of biologically available cadmium for plants. Increasing soil acidity can also release more cadmium into the soil, while iron oxides bind it tightly.
Researchers extracted biochemicals from genetically modified tomatoes and compared them to non-GM varieties. The study found no significant differences overall, but did identify a difference related to fruit ripening. This approach has potential for use in breeding programs and addressing consumer concerns about GM foods.
Research suggests that future global food security projections may be overly optimistic due to stagnant crop yields in intensively cropped areas. This could lead to increased marginal costs and decreased returns on investment in agricultural research and development.
The Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is exacerbated by excessive nutrient runoff from US agricultural practices. Experts recommend adopting cover crops and subsurface drainage systems to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus export. Despite potential challenges, implementing these practices could mitigate the problem.
In Tacoma, Washington, community gardens have increased by 14 to 34 in three years despite initial concerns about contaminated soils. Experts like Kristen McIvor use soil testing and provide biosolid-based products to educate growers and reduce contamination fears.
Dr. Pedro Sanchez predicts significant increases in African food production due to the convergence of policies, subsidies, credit guarantees, and agronomic improvements. Key to this success is the implementation of agricultural technologies.
Agriculture faces increasing competition for water, but integrated water management plans can increase water security by utilizing blue, green, and gray waters. The symposium highlights the importance of protecting these three water sources to meet the world's growing demand for food.
The presentation highlights the importance of cataloging and conserving crop wild relatives worldwide. Researchers have identified critical taxa in need of protection and conducted inventories of CWRs in the US, revealing nearly 4,600 species, including endangered relatives of sunflower, bean, and sweet potato.
A new study reveals that earthworms can survive for up to three weeks without water by entering a state of estivation, where they reduce their surface area exposure and seal themselves in a mucus-lined chamber. After rewetting, the earthworms were able to recover and regain their weight.
Researchers are studying the effects of urban climates on crop yields to develop new crops adapted to urban gardens and provide recommendations for urban farmers. The benefits of urban agriculture include increased food production, community engagement, and access to healthy fresh produce.
A recent study by Kansas State University predicts that the High Plains Aquifer will deplete to 69% by 50 years if current irrigation trends continue. Reducing water use could extend the aquifer's lifetime and increase net agricultural production until 2110.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a PHS gene in wheat that prevents preharvest sprouting, a major cause of crop loss. The discovery provides a potential solution for the $1 billion annual industry losses associated with white wheat production.
Chinese agriculture's remarkable success in feeding the world's population comes with significant environmental costs. Massive losses of nutrients pollute streams, rivers, soil, and air, while CAFOs drive global resource consumption. Efforts to shift focus towards food security, efficient use of resources, and environmental protection ...
A new study developed a robust model for predicting corn yields using easily obtained measurements, such as plant morphology and precipitation. The model was tested across multiple environments and found accurate results, providing valuable insights for farmers and biofuel industries.
Researchers found that two 15-year-old constructed marshes in Ohio accumulated soil carbon at an average annual rate of 2150 pounds per acre, surpassing natural wetlands and other agricultural lands. This suggests that restored and man-made wetlands should be considered for long-term carbon storage.
Researchers found that black locust, a short-rotation woody crop, has the highest yield and fastest harvest time among the crops evaluated. The crop's rapid growth allows for more frequent harvesting, making it an attractive option for biomass production in the Midwest.
Researchers compared nutrient and sediment loss from no-till, conventional tillage, and reduced-input rotation watersheds, finding that no-till reduces soil erosion but may increase dissolved phosphorus. Reduced-input rotations strike a balance between conventional tillage and no-till, but led to higher levels of soil loss.
A study found that rotating nematode-resistant wheat with tomato plants reduces nematode numbers in soil and protects the next crop. The resistant wheat was bred with a gene that makes it less susceptible to root-knot nematodes, which cause significant damage to crops worldwide.
A new US inventory of crop wild relatives has identified nearly 4,600 species, including close relatives of sunflower, bean, sweet potato, and strawberry. The findings highlight the need for conservation efforts to protect these species from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
A recent study found that fertilizers with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus increase soil organic carbon stocks, but do not enhance soil aggregate stability. Researchers tested continuous corn plots under conventional tillage and high water inputs for 50 years, revealing a mixed picture of fertilizer benefits.
A study by Elizabethtown College researchers found that residential lawns in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, release more carbon dioxide than corn fields, primarily due to soil temperature. Temperature variations within developed areas contribute to smaller-scale urban heat islands.
Researchers found that high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are needed for modern corn hybrids, with applications made during key growth stages to maximize crop growth. Adequate accounting for nutrients with high harvest index values is vital to maintaining long-term soil productivity.
A new study by Purdue University researchers shows that clean-air regulations have reduced acid rain in the US, Europe, and Japan over the past 30 years, but the opposite is true in fast-growing East Asian megacities due to lax antipollution rules or lack of enforcement. The effects of acid rain can propagate through aquatic ecosystems...
The symposium aims to find solutions to the increasing gap between food production and water availability. Experts will discuss ways to optimize water use in crop production, protect freshwater resources, and reuse gray water to ensure both adequate food and abundant water supplies for future generations.
Researchers found that simple measures of labile soil organic matter, such as nitrogen mineralization and carbon mineralization, can predict corn performance. These inexpensive tests reflect long-term management and short-term seasonal changes.
Bt corn has higher yields and uses nitrogen more efficiently due to its healthy root system, leading to increased production and potential changes in management practices. This study demonstrates the benefits of Bt corn beyond rootworm resistance.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University created a reliable 'calendar' of seasonal drought patterns that can help farmers avoid costly losses to drought conditions. By considering soil properties and water deficits, the study found that traditional atmospheric measurements underestimated drought probabilities.
Researchers have identified a genetic trait that enables willow trees to produce more biofuel when grown at an angle, increasing yields by up to five times compared to naturally growing trees. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more productive and sustainable bioenergy crops.
Researchers in China have discovered that corn can be used as a trap crop to control the devastating parasitic weed sunflower broomrape. The weed causes significant damage to vegetable and row crops, but using corn as a trap crop can induce suicidal germination in the weed, reducing its impact.
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that degrades the common veterinary antibiotic sulfamethazine and uses it for growth. This finding challenges existing theories on antibiotic resistance and suggests that soil bacteria may be capable of breaking down antibiotics more rapidly, potentially reducing their impacts.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a new method for prioritizing genes in plant genomes, which has been shown to improve the likelihood of finding critical genes controlling traits such as drought tolerance and grain yield. By applying genetic-analysis methods used to study humans, scientists were able to identify a ...
Researchers successfully produce intricate pieces using 3-D printing, which offers benefits over traditional manufacturing methods. The technology also enables easy sharing of designs, allowing for better replication of experiments and collaboration among soil scientists.
A team of researchers used advanced soil analysis to uncover evidence of ancient Maya maize production in lowland areas, but also found signs of erosion in steeper soils. This study demonstrates the power of modern soil science in understanding past civilizations' treatment of the land and its impact on food security.
A 12-year-long study by ICRAF reveals that combining legume trees with maize fields increases yield stability and reduces fertilizer use. This sustainable solution helps farmers cope with droughts and degraded soils, producing consistent and relatively high yields year after year.
Researchers are developing a set of solutions using high performance computing to address the challenges of big data in genome research. The BIGDATA toolbox will provide core techniques, parallel algorithms and software libraries to enable researchers to adapt parallel computing techniques to high-throughput DNA sequencing.
Researchers at Iowa State, Virginia Tech, and Stanford University aim to develop techniques for analyzing large-scale data analytics from high-throughput DNA sequencing. The project will utilize the NSF-funded HokieSpeed supercomputing instrument to improve genome analysis and identify mutations relevant to cancer.
New studies support the idea that certain higher-fibre diets can be well-tolerated and promote healthy gut environments, which may contribute to overall gut health. The soluble corn fibre has been found to increase beneficial bacteria in the gut and change the gut environment, enabling greater calcium absorption.
The Soil Science Society of America has announced its 2012 class of fellows, comprising 26 soil scientists from around the world. These distinguished professionals have made significant contributions to the field of soil science through their research, teaching, and extension work.