Articles tagged with Agricultural Intensification
A new book proposes that smallholder farmers, who already produce 30% of the world's food, could meet humanity's additional food needs by 2050 while restoring nature. Regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices can offset CO2 emissions and improve soil health.
Scientists have assembled the first chromosome-scale genome for the rice stink bug, identifying over 13,000 genes with broad biological and agricultural relevance. The genome provides a foundation for studying the insect's biology, feeding behavior, and potential insecticide resistance.
Overfermentation of cocoa beans can cause smoky, leathery, and cheesy off-flavors, with elevated concentrations of short-chain carboxylic acids and phenols detected. A simple measurement using test strips can help detect the onset of overfermentation, preventing the development of off-flavors.
A new study reveals that industrial poultry farming has led to a 100-fold increase in Campylobacter movement, allowing strains to mix extensively in commercial poultry populations. This has resulted in more than 3.5 times as many gastroenteritis cases in the UK each year compared to other foodborne bacteria.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
Researchers found that agriculture intensity is the main driver of accelerated bird decline in three regions. The study analyzed data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and estimated a 15% total loss of bird abundance across North America over 35 years.
A recent study from Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests that optimizing production in fertile areas while allowing less productive areas to lie fallow can cut greenhouse gas emissions. By doing so, food production can be maintained while reducing pressure on biodiversity by up to 20%.
A five-day DSI training workshop at ICRISAT strengthened technical and institutional capacity of 18 scientists from 12 countries across Asia and Africa. The program enabled participants to handle and analyze Digital Sequence Information, integrating genomic data into genebank databases.
The Scaling Hub South Asia is a multi-sector platform designed to accelerate proven agricultural, water, and energy innovations. It aims to strengthen regional food and water security for over 500 million people in South Asia.
A new University of Stirling study shows that using insects like parasitic wasps to control agricultural pests is safer and more environmentally friendly than using chemical pesticides. Despite some whiteflies developing genetic resistance, the study found that survivors have low reproductive success, limiting widespread resistance.
Eight countries support the Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation (RAIZ) accelerator, which offers a 'quadruple-win' for climate, biodiversity, food security, and desertification. RAIZ aims to mobilize $105 billion in private investment to restore degraded agricultural land at scale.
A new study of 1960s maps created by young people has provided important insights into the timing and extent of habitat losses in England and Wales. The analysis revealed a significant decline in semi-natural habitats, including rough grassland, heath, and wetland, which have lost 42% of their original area over the past 90 years.
A new study analyzing soils across Kansas found that the legacy effects of soil microbes can have significant impacts on plant growth, particularly for native species. Researchers discovered that plants grown with microbes adapted to specific local conditions performed better under drought conditions, suggesting a potential source of g...
A new method of essential oil extraction using Instantaneous Controlled Pressure Drop (CID) technology has been developed to overcome traditional limitations. This process enhances heat and mass transfer, resulting in higher-quality oils with lower energy consumption.
University of Maryland researchers identified a gene that enables rare wheat varieties to grow three ovaries per flower, increasing potential wheat production. This discovery could lead to cost-effective hybrid wheat varieties with improved yield and reduced environmental impact.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that diverse pasturelands have no effect on milk production or methane emissions, but a higher proportion of legumes can promote milk yield. The study suggests that farms should consider the benefits of diverse grassland areas for overall productivity and ecosystem benefits.
Climate change is predicted to increase suitable land for tea cultivation in China, with the overall range shifting northwards. Machine learning models were used to analyze China's four major tea-producing regions.
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
Between 2022 and 2024, CGIAR delivered innovations to over 20 million farmers across 62 countries, including climate-resilient crop varieties and tools for women's empowerment. The report highlights a cumulative impact of $1.34 trillion in economic benefits from crop technologies developed by CGIAR.
A new digital tool provides free satellite monitoring and analysis of vegetation and crop health across Kansas and the nation. The Sentinel GreenReport Plus combines satellite imagery with climate datasets to provide users with insights into vegetation greenness, changes in land cover over time, and climate abnormalities.
The SHOWCASE project has published four practice abstracts on the EU CAP Network platform, providing practical insights for farmers and policymakers. The findings highlight the importance of well-designed incentives, farmer behavior, and bridging the science-policy gap to promote biodiversity integration in European agriculture.
A new study by University College London researchers suggests that intensifying existing farmland can degrade local biodiversity more than expanding agricultural land, depending on factors like region and crop type. The study highlights the need for sustainable intensification techniques to mitigate the impact of farming on the environ...
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance wheat plants' sugar signalling ability, increasing yields by up to 12%. The new technology uses a Trehalose 6-phosphate pre-signalling molecule to activate the pathway for starch synthesis, leading to increased photosynthesis and grain filling.
A new study analyzing over 175 scientific reviews found that agricultural intensification is a major driver of insect decline, but climate change has multiple individual drivers such as extreme precipitation and temperature. The research highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to conserve insect biodiversity.
A study by Eawag and the University of Zurich found that human impacts on biodiversity are widespread and severe, with average species declines of 20% across all biogeographic regions. The composition of species communities is also shifting, with environmental pollution and habitat changes having a particularly negative impact.
The study reveals five groups of barriers reinforcing each other, including corporate dominance and institutional shortcomings. A comprehensive framework is proposed to address these systemic challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrated political responses and context-sensitive solutions.
A new survey highlights the need to revive England's hedgerows to meet national restoration targets. While agri-environment schemes have improved hedge condition, overall length remains unchanged. Experts call for increased participation and better incentives among farmers and landowners to rejuvenate the network.
Research found that 68% of wells in southwestern Europe have stable groundwater levels, while 20% show rising levels and 12% decline. Effective management approaches in semi-arid regions led to recovery of groundwater levels in areas such as La Mancha Oriental in Spain.
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
A new study found that rotating crops, conserving soil nutrients, and deploying diversification strategies can yield major benefits for the environment and people. The research discovered that farmers can achieve more benefits if they employ several agricultural solutions in tandem.
A study analyzing salmon mortality data from 2012 to 2022 found a significant increase in mass mortality events worldwide. The researchers estimate potential maximum annual losses from these events to be over 8 million fish across major salmon-producing countries.
Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.
Researchers analyzed gene expression and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in two modern Japanese malting barley cultivars to uncover the 150-year history of Japanese beer barley breeding. They found unique features related to malting quality and BaYMV resistance, highlighting the importance of preserving genetic diversity.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found a significant relationship between soy expansion and childhood leukemia deaths in Brazil. Pesticide use in the region has been linked to increased cancer mortality, with an estimated 123 children under 10 dying from ALL associated with pesticide exposure between 2008 and 2019.
Researchers developed a method to predict rice yield using smartphone photos, showing 68% accuracy and comparable results to satellite data. The model's simplicity makes it suitable for mobile devices and can be easily transferred to other crops.
A recent study found that extending cooling strategies to day-and-night improves milk yield, reduces rumen temperatures, and enhances cow well-being. The enhanced day-plus-night cooling group produced more milk and had lower panting scores compared to the daytime cooling group.
Researchers from Okayama University used CNNs to estimate rice yield from pre-harvest photographs, achieving accuracy of 68-69%. The model highlighted the importance of panicles in yield estimation and showed promise for monitoring rice productivity at regional scales.
The article discusses the challenges of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but found that technology can help farmers lower pollution by up to 45 percent. The study proposes using carbon-free energy sources, sustainably produced bioenergy, and techniques to capture emissions from these energy sources.
Since 1700, habitats suitable for Asian elephants have decreased by over 64%, resulting in a loss of 3.3 million square kilometers of land. The study suggests that historical land-use patterns and agricultural intensification in South Asia have contributed to this decline.
A new study reveals that the squash bee has evolved in response to increased agriculture, particularly squash cultivation. This adaptation allowed its population to expand significantly, making it an essential pollinator of these crops.
Researchers at the University of Turku found that reducing pesticide pollution and harvesting intensity can increase crop yields and contribute to climate change mitigation. By optimizing carbon sequestration and storage in soils, farmers can improve plant resilience and productivity, while minimizing environmental harm.
The global food system exerts significant pressure on the environment and climate, with five countries accounting for almost half of the impact. Locally produced food is often the most environmentally friendly option, but production methods can vary greatly between countries.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
A recent analysis by researcher Jacob van Etten found that the Green Revolution's narrative omits institutional change and neglects ethnic tensions dominating market exchange. The study highlights the importance of markets and institutions in agricultural development, contradicting the traditional technology-centric view.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
Researchers found that wetter pre-growing seasons reduced soil nitrogen through leaching, but applying more fertilizer can mitigate this effect. The model also showed that cold pre-growing season temperatures limited early growth in ways that affected yield potential, making extra fertilizer less effective.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
A new study by University College London (UCL) researchers found that climate change and intensive agricultural land use have already led to a 49% reduction in insect populations in the most impacted parts of the world. Insect declines are linked to rising temperatures and land use changes, with tropical areas seeing the biggest declines.
Researchers assess development and performance of tailored approaches to fertilizer application in SSA, highlighting scalability and technical challenges. Solutions to overcome barriers to widespread adoption are outlined, including investment in soil capacity estimation and farmer-friendly digital tools.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
The Mediterranean region has the highest soil erosion rates in Europe, with severe salinisation problems and low levels of soil organic matter. The study recommends a coordinated network to investigate soil biodiversity and assess its trends to prevent future degradation.
Research shows that cow-calf pairs can be managed in drylots throughout the summer grazing period without significant negative effects on growth performance, lactation, and reproductive rates. Calves raised in drylots had increased performance compared to pasture-raised calves, but still showed signs of stress during weaning.
New study reveals tradeoff between water quality and emissions on farms, highlighting potential environmental benefits of conservation practices. Researchers found that split nitrogen applications had no impact on nitrous oxide levels, but cover crops increased emissions by spikes in summer.
A new study found a significant decrease in the development of forest and agricultural land from 2000 to 2015 due to rising gas prices. The research used data from the US Department of Agriculture's National Resources Inventory to analyze county-level land development patterns across the contiguous US states.