A recent study by Rothamsted Research found that plant species determine the beneficial functions provided by root-associated microbes, regardless of soil type. The research used soil from nine UK locations to cultivate six key arable crops and discovered consistent patterns of microbial selection across different soils and locations.
Scientists have successfully developed wheat with dramatically reduced levels of asparagine, without affecting yield, using CRISPR genome editing. The study resulted in a significant reduction in free asparagine concentrations, up to 93%, without impacting yield, and lower acrylamide formation in food products.
A new study suggests that short periods of extreme heat and drought during flowering could become a major threat to global wheat production. This could lead to yield losses of up to three-quarters by 2090, highlighting the need for farmers to develop more heat-tolerant varieties.
Researchers tested two popular virus-based tools to temporarily switch genes on or off in rice, but found no evidence they worked. Despite extensive optimization, the team found no changes occurred when a chlorophyll gene was silenced or a fluorescent protein was expressed.
Researchers from Rothamsted Research and CIMMYT highlight the potential of trehalose 6-phosphate to increase photosynthesis by adjusting supply and demand. The capacity for enhanced photosynthesis already exists within elite wheat varieties, but unlocking it requires a holistic approach.
A new study published in Frontiers in Agronomy has found that three widely used Group 15 pre-emergent herbicides affect blackgrass in strikingly different ways. The research reveals distinct biochemical effects on plant growth, cuticular wax composition, and fatty acid metabolism.
Researchers have discovered that diseased oak trees emit distinct odours that attract the beetle Agrilus biguttatus, a key contributor to the decline. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between trees, microbes, and insects in oak health crises.
A new analysis of data from Rothamsted's Broadbalk long-term experiment found that nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can significantly increase the amount of carbon stored in farmland soils. This can help mitigate climate change by storing more carbon, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.
A study found that aphid populations in England are divided between the east and west, suggesting a strong link to lettuce-growing regions. The finding could complicate control efforts and highlights the need for region-specific approaches to tackle the pest.
Researchers have discovered how a family of genes in wheat regulates growth and grain development, leading to new possibilities for crop improvement. By examining the role of gibberellin-3-oxidase genes, scientists found that different gene variants can affect plant height and grain size.
Over the past decade, English farms have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by 18%, 21% and 13% respectively. However, progress is uneven, with some areas experiencing large reductions while others saw little improvement.
Agricultural practices such as ploughing, fertiliser use and irrigation boost crop yields in the short term but degrade soils over time, reducing their resilience and triggering cycles of erosion, salinisation and declining yields.
A common soil fungus, Trichoderma hamatum, has been found to release volatile organic compounds that inhibit the growth of crop pathogens. These natural vapors stall the advance of devastating plant diseases such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a mould responsible for rot in crops like lettuce and oilseed rape.
Researchers developed a new method to improve the accuracy of gene mapping in complex organisms, unlocking secrets of the septoria leaf blotch fungus. The breakthrough could lead to improved control strategies for wheat yield losses across Europe.
Human activities such as agricultural expansion and soil dumping are narrowing Oman's wadis, altering soil chemistry and sediment distribution. This process accelerates erosion during flash floods, creating a "bottleneck effect" that increases floodwater velocity and spreads contaminants downstream.
A new study found no nationwide decline in British insects, but instead detected profound local changes in communities. Climate change and urban development are driving the reshaping of ecosystems.
A study on jackdaw flocks found that sharp flock borders and edge behaviors can be explained by topological interactions, rather than complex survival strategies. The findings suggest that these patterns emerge naturally when birds follow mathematical rules governing neighbor interactions.
The 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit will explore strategies for closing the phosphorus loop and improving fertiliser efficiency in Africa. Experts warn that without urgent investment, the region's food production could falter under population growth and climate change.
A new study challenges the assumption that climate tipping points always happen abruptly, suggesting some large-scale Earth systems may experience gradual collapses. Laboratory experiments on magnets provide surprising insights into the future of Earth's tipping points.
A new computational biology pipeline has identified 13,312 highly conserved 'universal' groups of grass genes, present across all studied grasses and responsible for vital functions. The study used a Hidden Markov Model, which outperformed a simpler approach, to distinguish between lineage-specific and non-specific genes.
Researchers identified a key enzyme, TPP1, that helps Fusarium graminearum overcome plant defenses and cause devastating head blight disease. The finding offers new hope for developing genetically engineered disease-resistant grains.
Researchers successfully engineered oilseed crop Camelina to produce high levels of astaxanthin, a valuable red antioxidant used to color farmed salmon and shrimp. The plant-derived pathway proved more efficient and cleaner than earlier bacterial methods, reaching over 47 micrograms per gram of seed.
Scientists have produced the most comprehensive map of a wheat genome, paving the way for more resilient and nutritious varieties. The detailed findings describe over 94% of the Chinese Spring wheat genome, with benefits expected to boost wheat improvement over the next decades.
A new mathematical model suggests that balancing demand variability and costs can significantly reduce the risk of importing exotic forest pests and diseases. The research, published in The Journal of Applied Ecology, recommends longer-term grant schemes and higher import duties to help nurseries manage fluctuations.
A new carrier to transfer genes into plants has enabled crop scientists to study traits and diseases in wheat and maize more quickly and easily. The Foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) has overcome limitations of existing carriers, allowing for the expression of a wide range of proteins in host plants.
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.
Rothamsted Research has launched a collaborative program, AgRIA, to accelerate innovation in the agricultural sector. The program aims to develop research ideas from agri-tech into new industries through short-leap projects, entrepreneurial studentships, and longer leap-of-faith projects.
Rothamsted Research has developed a new approach to protecting wheat crops from the devastating take-all root fungus, by carefully selecting the first wheat variety in a cropping cycle. This reduces the disease's severity and increases yields in subsequent crop varieties.
A team of scientists from Rothamsted Research has found that certain commercial cereal varieties can support beneficial fungi that suppress the take-all fungus, a devastating disease in wheat crops worldwide. This could provide a potential biological management strategy to control the disease.
Rothamsted Research will conduct a field trial of genome-edited (GE) Camelina, a genetically modified crop that accumulates omega-3 fatty acids, alongside a traditional GM version. The trials aim to investigate the efficiency of genetic engineering in developing plants with desired traits, such as improved nutrition and sustainability.
A recent study warns of a global collapse in controlling fungal infections due to emerging resistance. The rapid evolution of resistant fungal strains poses significant threats to human health and food security worldwide.
The electronic Rothamsted Archive provides long-term series of data on yields, weather, and soil analyses, relevant for sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and food security. Users have access to supporting specialist background information and are fully supported by the curating team.
Scientists have discovered key features that explain how two very similar fungi, one causing crop failure and the other producing mycoprotein for consumption, differ in lifestyle. The study highlights potential targets for disease control.
Researchers have identified three aldehydes in the skin of infected children that attract mosquitoes, which could lead to better malaria detection and control. The study's findings provide insight into the parasite's infection route and offer opportunities for developing new biomarkers and insect traps.
A new study by Rothamsted Research reveals that well-designed grazing practices can improve animal growth and wellbeing, linked to soil health and pasture value. The study developed a method to measure individual fields' contribution to animal performance, providing insights into sustainable production.
Researchers have discovered specific enzymes in honeybees and bumblebees that enable them to metabolize neonicotinoid insecticides safely. This knowledge can be used to design bee-friendly insecticides, potentially reducing the harm caused by these chemicals to pollinators.
Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found that modern carbon emissions cannot be locked in the ground to halt global warming. The study analyzed long-term soil data and concluded that even significant increases in soil organic carbon are unrealistic over large areas of the planet.
Scientists have isolated a natural resistance gene, Stb6, that confers protection against Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a major threat to wheat production. The discovery holds promise for deciphering other resistance genes and developing a natural barrier to infection.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research used radar data to track the migratory patterns of a large bat colony in Texas, revealing changes in seasonal habits and winter residency. The findings suggest that bats are arriving earlier in the spring due to environmental shifts, with potential implications for pest management and agricultural pro...
A nationwide study found that black-grass populations in England have evolved resistance to herbicides, leading to increased costs and lower crop yields. The research team recommends adopting weed-management strategies that rely less on chemicals.
Researchers from Rothamsted Research introduce a rice gene that regulates sucrose accumulation in kernels, leading to increased productivity in maize even under drought conditions. The transgenic maize also improves rates of photosynthesis, resulting in more sucrose production for additional kernels.
A study published in Global Change Biology warns that China's growing milk demand will strain global dairy resources, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and land use if left unchecked. Improving domestic milk production efficiencies and adopting more sustainable practices could mitigate these impacts.
The partnership between Rothamsted Research and Timac Agro UK aims to develop practical solutions for farmers through research, development, and real-life improvements. By investing in research and people, the collaboration seeks to create a flexible industry that provides innovative solutions for agriculture.
A team of researchers has identified a gene involved in the stiffening of cell walls whose suppression increases the release of sugars by up to 60%. This breakthrough could lead to improved feed for ruminants and better biomass for biofuels, with potential global implications.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research have developed a simple mathematical model to predict the behavior of midge swarms, which can help protect crops from airborne pests. The model uses basic physics principles to simulate the complex flight dynamics of midges and predicts their dispersal patterns.
A multinational team of experts is working together to address dietary deficiencies in essential nutrients. The GeoNutrition programme aims to map cropland, test the efficacy of micronutrient-enriched fertilisers, and assess public health policies.
Entomologist Gia Aradottir from Rothamsted Research explores insect communication through chemical signals and sound-based interactions. Her experiments with aphids and parasitic wasps demonstrate the complex ways insects convey information to each other.
A team of experts has identified a gene that triggers resistance in wheat to the devastating fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt). The breakthrough allows for DNA testing to identify whether a rust strain can overcome a resistance gene, enabling targeted treatment and reducing crop devastation.
Researchers tracked bumblebee flight paths and found they refined routes to reduce travel distance, providing insights into route optimization in logistics and robotics. The study's large dataset offers a unique understanding of how animals solve spatial problems.
The European Union has approved the renewal of glyphosate for five years, recognizing its importance in maintaining food production and affordability. However, experts emphasize the need to balance this decision with reducing pesticide use and finding alternative weed control methods.