Researchers at USDA's ARS have identified sorghum as a promising bioenergy crop thanks to its drought tolerance, versatility, and high biomass content. The plant can produce sugar that can be converted into biofuel, making it an attractive alternative for the southern US region.
The USDA's Agricultural Research Service has developed several new blueberry varieties, including 'Pink Lemonade', which offers a flavorful surprise with its taste similar to a raspberry. Another notable variety is 'Sweetheart', which produces firm, delectable berries in mid-to-late June and allows for an extended harvest period.
Researchers have successfully used papaya as a banker plant to control silverleaf whiteflies, reducing pesticide use and promoting environmentally friendly pest management. The system involves using non-stinging wasps to feed on the whiteflies and is being tested in commercial greenhouses.
USDA scientists developed a hormone treatment to strengthen male Mexican fruit flies, allowing them to compete with wild-type males for female mates more effectively. The therapy uses methoprene and hydrolyzed protein supplements, resulting in faster maturation and improved mating success.
Agricultural Research Service scientist David Huggins found that standing crop residues on no-till farms increase snow cover uniformity, leading to more uniform soil water distribution and higher soil water recharge rates. This can result in increased winter wheat yield potential by up to 13 bushels per acre.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has discovered a natural, biodegradable chelating agent called EDDS that can replace existing fertilizers contributing to waterway pollution. The findings support the use of EDDS in floral and nursery crop industries, promoting environmental sustainability.
Research at the US Department of Agriculture found that no-till farming can reduce yield losses caused by climate change. The study simulated different climate factors on three cropping systems, finding declines in corn and millet yields over time. No-till management helped maintain wheat yields for up to 2075.
A new USDA study identifies two inexpensive tests to evaluate promising wheat varieties for their potential as whole-grain cookie flour sources. The research confirms the reliability of the sucrose SRC test and milling softness equivalent test for early screening.
Adding biochar to glacial soils reduces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Ethylene production is also stimulated by biochar, potentially influencing plant growth.
USDA scientists found that using insecticides specifically targeting whiteflies can reduce the need for broad-spectrum pesticides. The study showed that applying a single dose of whitefly-specific insecticide can control whitefly populations for the rest of the growing season.
Researchers have discovered that citrus products can provide cows with good roughage and vitamins, reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens. The study found a tenfold reduction in Salmonella populations in sheep's intestinal contents after feeding them dried orange peel pellets.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that biochars produced from switchgrass and hardwoods increased soil moisture storage in sandy soils. The study also showed that biochars can extend the window of soil water availability for crops by 1-3 days.
USDA researchers have identified over 3,000 stem rust-resistant wheat landraces and are retesting them to verify their resistance. These landraces hold the key to combating severe losses due to stem rust, a disease affecting worldwide wheat cultivation areas.
A US Department of Agriculture scientist identified a rare grass-like sedge as blue sedge, native to Asia and Australia, found growing near the gravesites of a royal Gypsy family in Mississippi. The plant's restricted distribution and invasive traits suggest it could cause problems in US lawn and turf systems.
Geneticist Tad Sonstegard and his team identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in African native sheep. The study found significant QTL on chromosomes 3, 6, 14, and 22 that can improve production of grazing animals.
Agricultural Research Service scientist Yulin Jia characterized the molecular mechanism of some plants' ability to resist rice blast, a fungal disease affecting cereal grain crops. He also mapped two major blast-resistance genes from a Chinese rice cultivar, which have been reported in several scientific journals.
A recent USDA study reveals that new varieties of broccoli retain the same levels of calcium, copper, iron, and other minerals as older cultivars, despite significant improvements in quality. The research suggests that breeders can rely on these nutrient levels when developing future broccoli strains.
A US Department of Agriculture scientist has developed a partnership with South African colleagues to improve cattle breeding, benefiting breeders worldwide. The research focuses on the Nguni breed, which is popular among poor farmers due to its fertility and tolerance to harsh conditions.
Scientists are developing a vaccine against East Coast fever, a destructive disease in eastern and central Africa, with the potential to also protect US cattle. The collaboration aims to control tick-borne diseases, supporting international food security.
Researchers from USDA's Animal Disease Research Unit have identified the cayenne tick as a vector of equine piroplasmosis in a 2009 Texas outbreak. The discovery highlights the potential for the disease to spread internationally, prompting efforts to prevent its spread.
USDA researchers explore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor changing land-use patterns in western rangelands. The results show that aerial data can be comparable to information gathered through ground-based surveys, with potential applications for erosion control and invasive species monitoring.
A team of scientists at the US Department of Agriculture has patented a method to convert commercial digital cameras into color infrared cameras for aerial photography. This technology allows for immediate image availability without further processing, making it ideal for detecting farmland extent and crop health. The innovation enable...
USDA researchers are exploring high-resolution digital panoramas to study landscape changes in rangelands. By creating detailed images, scientists can track wildlife populations, invasive plant species, and monitor riparian areas.
Researchers have developed new potato lines with genetic resistance to wireworms, a major pest that can cause significant damage to crops. The resistant clones outperformed insecticide-treated potatoes in field trials, suggesting that natural compounds like glycoalkaloids may be protecting the plants.
Researchers discovered that a commercial enzyme can extract water from an ethanol byproduct, reducing electricity, natural gas, and energy consumption. This could significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during ethanol production.
Cotton technologist Paul Sawhney and his colleagues investigated using virgin cotton in nonwoven materials. They found that greige cotton, a naturally water-repellent material, can be made absorbent by controlling water pressure during processing.
A recent study has identified a genetic marker on bovine chromosome 20 associated with the incidence of three costly cattle diseases: pinkeye, foot rot, and pneumonia. This finding has the potential to improve disease tolerance in cattle and reduce economic losses for producers.
A USDA aerial photography survey found that the invasive leafy spurge weed is displacing native mountain big sagebrush seedlings in Idaho. The survey used high-resolution digital cameras to sample large areas of the western US.
Researchers found that using flat bed systems increased yields by an average of 6 percent and improved water and nitrogen use efficiency. The study supported the USDA's commitment to enhancing sustainable agriculture, helping farmers increase yields, save water resources, and reduce nitrate leaching.
Using fabric ground covers in organic production allows farmers to control weeds, hold down costs, and maintain soil health. The study found that fabric covers limited water penetration and reduced soil levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.
A study by the USDA found that high ozone levels above 50 ppb can reduce soybean yields by at least 10 percent, resulting in significant economic losses. Satellite data provides a useful tool for monitoring ozone damage to crops in rural areas where ground networks are limited.
USDA scientists have developed a new biorefinery yeast that can ferment plant sugars into cellulosic ethanol despite the presence of toxic compounds. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain NRRL Y-50049, has shown remarkable tolerance to furfural and HMF, two compounds that inhibit yeast growth and reduce ethanol yields.
Xiaohong Wang's diagnostic test can identify the type of nematode infesting a field, crucial for developing resistant potato varieties. The test is 1000 times more sensitive than traditional methods, enabling reliable results from small amounts of nematode material.
A team of USDA researchers developed a method to estimate the ethanol potential of switchgrass using near-infrared sensing, which can predict actual and maximum ethanol yields. This technology has the potential to reduce costs by $5 per sample, making it more accessible for bioenergy production.
Agricultural Research Service scientists found that using strip tillage and placing fertilizers directly below the seed increased corn grain yields on eroded slopes by 12-26% over two years. This innovative technique supports Idaho's growing dairy industry and promotes international food security.
Bumble bees, like honey bees, are important pollinators of native plants. Entomologist James Strange is studying a generalist named Bombus huntii that could be used in greenhouses in the western United States as a replacement for declining B. occidentalis populations.
Researchers use Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy to identify infected trees with 95% accuracy. The method is faster and cheaper than current DNA testing, but further differentiation between diseases is needed.
A study by USDA and university scientists found that higher CO2 levels can reverse the drying effects of predicted higher temperatures on semi-arid rangelands. This is because CO2 causes leaf stomatal pores to partly close, lessening water loss and increasing plant growth for warm-season grasses.
Researchers developed a quicker freeze-drying technique that reduces energy and processing time, resulting in freeze-dried salmon cubes with minimal moisture content. These cubes maintain color, rehydrate quickly, and have reduced shrinkage compared to traditional freeze-drying methods.
A study found that North American soybeans have a genetic treasure trove in the form of stress-resistant soybeans from a Swedish village called Fiskeby. The Fiskeby soybeans were highly tolerant to salt, aluminum, drought, high ozone levels, iron deficiency, and toxic soil aluminum.
Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture have identified yeast species that produce sophorolipids, a type of green surfactant. The study found three new Candida species that can be used to mass-produce these eco-friendly alternatives.
Researchers have developed a way to help growers reduce fumigant emissions by testing the permeability of dozens of films used to cover treated soil. They found that some films are better barriers to fumigant diffusion than others, but their effectiveness varies depending on the fumigant and weather conditions.
Researchers at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have created a unique fingerprinting method to identify the source of soil, distinguishing between soils from rural roads and agricultural fields. This innovation has significant implications for managing wind erosion and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Agricultural Research Service scientists monitored emissions from a commercial dairy in southern Idaho, revealing that open-lot pens generate the majority of facility's ammonia, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions. The study provides detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have identified a promising conservation tillage technique called undercutting, which can reduce PM10 emissions by 30-70% compared to conventional tillage. This method creates an aerodynamically rougher soil surface, promoting retention of crop residue and reducing wind erosion.
Researchers discovered herbicide volatilization consistently results in losses exceeding those from surface runoff, with a significant impact on groundwater contamination. The study highlights the importance of considering soil moisture levels and air temperatures in models of pesticide volatilization.
Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are identifying factors that influence pesticide levels in the Chesapeake Bay airshed. The study found that nearly all air samples contained lindane and chlordane products, with highest concentrations at dieldrin and DDE.
USDA scientists conducted a four-year project to sample emissions from seven cotton gins across the Cotton Belt. The research aims to better understand PM2.5 emissions and support stricter federal standards. By analyzing data collected from 126 ambient air samplers, researchers hope to improve the accuracy of dust particle measurements.
USDA scientists found that non-pathogenic E. coli strains can survive longer in underwater sediments than in water, supporting the use of sediment as an indicator of fecal contamination. The study also revealed that higher levels of organic carbon and fine particles in sediment prolonged E. coli survival.
Researchers applied E. coli O157:H7 to subprimals and found that only 3-4% of the bacteria were transported to the center of the meat after being tenderized. Proper cooking on a commercial gas grill eliminated the microbe, with internal temperatures of 120F, 130F, or 140F killing all remaining cells.