Researchers explore naturally occurring egg-hatching factors to control G. pallida, a non-native species causing economic hardship in US potato fields. Using these chemicals to stimulate eggs to hatch when no potato plants are present could be an effective defense against the pest.
A study in Montana found that grazing sheep during fallow seasons can improve soil chemistry, increasing calcium, sulfur, and electrical conductivity. Grazing also had no negative effects on soil organic matter and crop yields, with the sheep returning phosphorus and potassium to the soil through their feces and urine.
Researchers found that DNA methylation levels were higher in genes associated with disease in children conceived during periods of food scarcity in West Africa.
Researchers found that cattle temperament affects how animals respond to stressors like weaning, transportation, and vaccination. Temperamental cattle have reduced fat stores and lower marbling, impacting the final quality grade of beef.
Researchers identified diverse microbial communities in cattle manure, with some bacteria present in beef cattle not found in dairy cows. Diet and tillage management also affected pathogen transport in field runoff, highlighting the importance of soil management for food safety.
Researchers have identified two alarm pheromones and 17 compounds in the outer protective layer of bed bug skin, which may play an important role in aggregation behavior. These findings suggest that alarm pheromones could be used to increase the likelihood of bed bugs coming into contact with control agents.
Researchers found that Bacteroidetes were more predominant in fine dust, while Proteobacteria were associated with coarse sediments. This knowledge can inform management practices to minimize damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
Researchers found that mixing different cover crops can increase dry matter biomass by up to 25% while reducing weed suppression needs. This long-term study supports the use of legume-rye mixes for optimal results in commercial organic production systems.
Agricultural Research Service study finds that removing corn cob residues from fields does not harm soil quality, supporting the development of new bioenergy sources. Soils retain potassium from cobs, making them a potential raw material for cellulosic ethanol production.
A study by USDA scientists found that treating poultry cages with heated forced air at 122 degrees Fahrenheit can eliminate detectable Campylobacter levels on cage flooring. This method is more effective than static heat or unheated flowing air in reducing bacterial cross-contamination.
Researchers investigated the effects of Huanglongbing (HLB) on orange juice produced from diseased trees, finding that HLB symptoms can affect juice quality but not necessarily cause a bitter taste. The study suggests that mixing fruit with and without HLB symptoms could help address commercial operations' problems.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have discovered a new method for producing insect-killing fungi, which significantly reduces production costs and increases yields. The liquid culture fermentation process uses less expensive nitrogen sources, making it a more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
Research by USDA scientist Eton Codling shows that treated wastewater solids called biosolids can increase soil phosphorus levels for years. The study found that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils exceeded typical plant requirements after application.
Researchers found that plant water demand fluctuates in response to water availability, but may eventually approach a threshold that limits production. The study suggests that ecosystem resilience will decline as regions experience continued warming and drying trends.
Researchers found that baited black pyramid traps are more effective at capturing stink bugs than other traps, with higher yields of adults and nymphs. The study also discovered that stink bugs can produce two generations per year in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have created a biodegradable thermoplastic composite using sugar beet pulp and polylactic acid. The new material retains mechanical properties similar to traditional plastics, offering a sustainable alternative for disposable food packaging.
Researchers at USDA and University of California-Davis discovered distinctive amino acid profiles in oranges grown on HLB-positive or -negative trees. These profiles could serve as an early indicator of the pathogen's presence.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that a lady beetle's diet influences its feeding patterns and physiology. The research suggests that plant material provides key nutrients lacking in insect prey diets, making mixed diets healthier for the beetles.
The US Department of Agriculture is working on a biocontrol method for the brown marmorated stink bug, which has caused significant damage in homes and gardens. Researchers have identified an aggregation pheromone that attracts males, females, and nymphs to feeding sites.
Vegetated drainage ditches have been shown to effectively capture herbicides and insecticides from field runoff, reducing their impact on downstream waterways. This innovative solution provides a cost-effective way for farmers to manage agricultural pollutants and protect natural resources.
Stable flies are a significant pest of cattle in the US, causing reduced milk production and decreased weight gain. A new study finds that cyromazine, an insect growth regulator, can reduce emerging adult stable flies by 97% with minimal cost and application time.
Scientists have created effective barriers and gear to shield deployed soldiers from disease-causing insects. Insecticides and pesticide application equipment are being tested and evaluated for long-lasting residual protection against mosquitoes, sand flies, and other arthropods.
Researchers used infrared sensors and thermal technology to evaluate irrigation strategies in peach orchards. They found that midday canopy-to-air temperature differences were significantly higher in water-stressed trees, indicating the potential for effective management of water use.
The US Department of Agriculture is developing public health insecticides and devising improved application technologies to kill insects. Alternative fabrics are being designed for fire-resistant uniforms to improve protection against insects.
USDA scientists identify urban runoff as a significant source of E. coli bacteria in California's middle Santa Ana River Watershed. The study found that pathogens are more often carried into waterways via urban runoff than animal production facilities, highlighting the need for improved water quality management.
The USDA has completed a shotgun sequencing of the wheat genome, a major step towards increasing yields and developing drought-tolerant varieties. The achievement is expected to help feed growing populations worldwide and address climate change-related threats to agriculture.
Agricultural research and development investments have seen a surge in private sector spending, driving innovations in crop seed, biotechnology, and farm machinery. The USDA study shows how public-private partnerships are crucial for advancing agricultural productivity.
Researchers are using an insect growth regulator called pyriproxyfen to prevent the maturation of house fly larvae. This technology has shown promise in controlling the spread of bacteria through these insects.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have developed a deficit-irrigation strategy for early-season peaches, which reduces post-harvest water levels by 25% without significantly affecting next year's yield. The study also found that subsurface drip irrigation systems had minimal effects on yield and fruit quality.
Researchers are studying different methods to kill sand flies, including screening insecticides and developing diagnostic tools. Sand fly resistance to pesticides is also being studied, which could help protect military personnel and others affected by this pest.
The study found significant genetic differences between Asian and European wild boars, as well as a high degree of similarity in immunity genes between pigs and humans. This discovery could lead to better breeding strategies, improved pork production, and increased potential for the pig as a biomedical model.
USDA researchers developed a formula to create eco-friendly fire logs and pellets from lawn clippings, agricultural waste, and plant-derived oils. The logs burn brighter, longer, and emit less pollution.
USDA researchers have created toxic sugar-based baits luring mosquito death; five compound classes kill all three mosquito species. Scientists also discovered how repellents work by disrupting chemical attractants in mosquito receptors.
USDA researchers have developed a method to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, reducing harmful emissions and concentrating nitrogen for fertilizer. The system uses gas-permeable membranes, achieving an average removal rate of 45-153 mg/liter per day.
Researchers have identified three black raspberry populations with strong aphid resistance, controlled by multiple genes in two cases and a dominant gene in the third. This breakthrough could help protect fruit production from black raspberry necrosis virus.
Agricultural Research Service study found that adding beef manure compost to soil at post-mining sites increased pH, plant-available nutrients, and microbial activity. The compost also lowered lead and zinc availability by 90%, promoting vegetative cover and reducing runoff.
ARS scientists bred yellow potatoes with enhanced carotenoid levels, doubling their nutritional value compared to Yukon Gold. The new varieties have shown promise in improving eye health by protecting against age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation.
Researchers have developed a method to apply beneficial mold K49 as a frontline defense against aflatoxin contamination in corn. By packaging K49 in bioplastic granules, the technology improves storage life and viability of the mold, reducing aflatoxin levels by 65-97%.
A team of researchers has successfully mapped the barley genome, unlocking potential for higher yields, improved pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional value. The breakthrough, supported by USDA, will aid in addressing global food security challenges.
The USDA has announced a regional biofuels system in the Northeast, aimed at developing sustainable energy markets and creating jobs. The project, valued at $10 million, will focus on biomass supply chains for liquid transportation and aviation biofuels.
Cold-induced sweetening in potatoes causes unwanted flavor changes and dark colors. Researchers found that suppressing invertase enzyme activity can enable cold storage without compromising chip or plant appearance. The study provides proof of concept for the importance of invertase in cold-induced sweetening.
The USDA has awarded $4.8 million to 23 community-based organizations across the US to establish sustainable local food projects and improve access to affordable, healthy food for low-income residents. These grants aim to promote comprehensive strategies addressing local food, farm, and nutrition issues.
USDA scientists develop immunocrit technique to measure newborn piglets' serum immunoglobulin levels, indicating mortality and nursing ability. The test can identify at-risk piglets and provide opportunities for intervention strategies.
A new rearing technique for the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor has shown promise in conditioning the insects to survive storage at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This method, which involves simulating reproductive diapause, could give commercial insectaries greater flexibility and reduce costs.
Researchers discovered that combining conventional antifungal medications with natural plant compounds, such as thymol, can inhibit the growth of fungi at lower doses. This could lead to more effective treatments for fungal infections, potentially even reducing economic losses from contaminated crops.
USDA scientists are working to minimize the threat of Laurel wilt disease caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, vectored by the redbay ambrosia beetle. Chemical attractants for beetle traps and fungicides to slow disease spread have been developed.
Researchers discovered a pheromone formula that attracts milkweed stem weevils, four times more than boll weevils, in Texas traps. This finding could help conserve rare milkweed types and monitor monarch butterfly populations.
Researchers found that Napiergrass is a viable biofuel crop in the Southeast's southern tier, offering advantages such as continued biomass production until the first frost. Further studies are underway to improve yields, fiber content, and disease resistance.
Researchers found that alfalfa growth stops when soil copper sulfate levels exceed 500 ppm and beneficial bacterial activity declines above 50 ppm. Crops irrigated with cattle footbath wastewater can accumulate plant-available copper levels up to 63 ppm, posing potential harm to grazing livestock.
Researchers use near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to assess seed oil quality and quantity, potentially boosting biodiesel output by optimizing oilseed yields and reducing costs