Articles tagged with Crop Science
Researchers used drones with advanced cameras to measure how wheat plants cope with climate change, identifying key traits like leaf area index and chlorophyll content. They matched these traits to specific genes in the wheat genome, discovering 16 genetic markers linked to better performance under normal and dry conditions.
A meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen shows that flower strips with at least two sown species increase the number of natural enemies by an average of 70 percent. This is due to the diverse range of flowers attracting a broader range of beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and hoverflies.
A team of researchers has identified a specific peptide and receptor in barley that determine its inflorescence architecture. The discovery reveals that the number of grains formed is dependent on these elements, allowing for potential redesign of inflorescences to increase grain yield.
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.
Researchers identified crucial structural variations that determine seed size and weight in peanuts, paving the way for improved legume crops. A pangenome of peanut was assembled, serving as a fundamental resource for genetic enhancement.
Researchers developed high-resolution risk maps to predict where charcoal rot occurs in soybean fields. The maps use measurable soil characteristics to assess risk across the landscape and identify hotspots for targeted approaches to managing the disease.
A new report reveals that Indonesia's small farmers can increase productivity and market access through technology-driven innovations. The report outlines ten best practices for agritech startups and wider ecosystems to enable and shape the country's rural startup ecosystem.
The study provides a comprehensive genetic map of the pistachio genome, allowing for the creation of better-nutrition varieties. The research also identifies four key stages of nut growth from flower to harvest, providing insights into shell hardening and kernel growth.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique for encapsulating beneficial bacteria that can be stored and applied to plants to improve growth and protect against pests. The technique enables customized probiotics for plants, allowing farmers to use these bacteria in conjunction with agrochemicals.
Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.
A new study reveals that a rise in temperature by more than 1.5°C could lead to a marked decline in crop diversity, impacting global food security. Low-latitude regions are particularly vulnerable, with up to half of their crop production at risk.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture conducted a two-year study exposing 31 soybean varieties to flood conditions during the early reproductive stage. The study found that four-day flooding did not significantly alter the seed composition of any variety, but grain yield losses were observed across al...
Researchers emphasize global importance of tree crops for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, while promoting biodiversity conservation and mitigating climate change. Tree crops provide stable habitats, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.
A UTEP research team will investigate the impact of climate change on pecan orchards in the US and Mexico, focusing on drought, heat waves, and soil management. The study aims to develop insights for farmers and policymakers on improving water use efficiency and carbon sequestration.
In barley, LOFSEP loss leads to lemma development disturbances, whereas inner organs like lodicules and pistils remain unaffected. This study explores the effects of ABCDE class genes in mutant floral organs.
Researchers propose a simple indicator of crop's impact on soil erosion, calculating its 'soil footprint' for Spain's main crops. The study reveals that olive trees have the largest 'soil footprint', while onions and potatoes have the smallest, emphasizing the need to adopt protective strategies to reduce soil erosion.
Entomology professor Esther Ngumbi is studying how flooded conditions affect tomato plants, including changes in microbial community, volatile organic compounds, and gene expression. She warns that increased flooding can undermine climate-resilient crop research.
Researchers found that stock assessments have often been overly optimistic, with a third of sustainably fished stocks classified as overfished. They call for simpler models and greater use of the precautionary principle to protect fish stocks.
A team of Texas A&M researchers will conduct a five-year study on brucellosis in Armenia to improve detection capabilities and provide education. The project aims to better understand the disease's presence and prevalence, allowing the Armenian government to develop a control plan to stop its spread.
Research reveals native plants and non-native crops attract pests that spread diseases, causing harm to both plant populations. The studies also found viruses transmitted from crops to wild plants, which can have devastating effects on native ecosystems.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of early plant farming in east Africa, revealing a pattern of gradual introductions of different crops that originated from different parts of the continent. The study found domesticated cowpea, sorghum, and finger millet seeds dating back to around 2,300 years ago.
The study uses low-cost depth imaging sensors to detect plant disease with 97% accuracy, outperforming human annotation. The method is robust across various environments and plant densities, making it a cost-efficient solution for plant pathology diagnostics.
A new study by RIKEN CSRS shows that biomass from purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer, effective as inorganic synthetic fertilizers but with lower environmental side effects. The biomass boosts plant growth without altering soil pH or salinity.
A new study suggests that human activities may actually reduce the severity of droughts in certain regions. Climate model simulations indicate that aerosols and greenhouse gases produced by human activities have opposite effects on atmospheric chemical composition and precipitation mechanisms. This research challenges previous conclusi...
Researchers use laser scanning to generate 3D models of sugar beet plants, capturing essential characteristics for AI-assisted crop improvement. The 3D models are reproducible and freely available, enabling efficient and cost-effective plant breeding in resource-poor settings.
Human-caused nitrous oxide emissions accelerated globally, reaching a record high in 2022, with the agricultural sector accounting for 74% of emissions. The use of chemical fertilizers and animal manure is particularly significant contributors to this growth.
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.
Researchers used pea, carrot, and tomato plants to simulate Martian agriculture. Intercropping emerged as a promising method to optimize fresh food production in future colonies.
A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a self-folding origami gripper that can be mounted onto drones, enabling them to grasp and hold objects. The gripper weighs only 5 grams but demonstrates grasping force equivalent to holding a 130-gram object.
A consortium of scientists, including Brazilians, has successfully sequenced the reference genome of Arabica coffee. The study identified genes responsible for resistance to rust and other diseases, as well as those related to the aroma of Arabica coffee. By comparing a dihaploid-derived genome with a common tetraploid variety, researc...
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science has discovered a novel substituent migration reaction that enables the creation of complex benzofurans. This breakthrough synthesis method uses alkynyl sulfoxide and trifluoroacetic anhydride to produce highly functionalized benzofurans with high yields.
Researchers found that variation in efficiency due to farming practices could save as much water as switching crops or fallowing fields. The study suggests that a 10% reduction in water consumption among the top 50% of water users could make a significant impact, comparable to other interventions.
A new model integrating soil microbes and large perennial grasses into the DayCent framework improves its representation of ecosystem dynamics. The updated model includes a live microbial biomass pool and dead microbial biomass pool to simulate carbon storage in soils, enhancing the evaluation of bioenergy crop sustainability.
A new study published in Trends and Ecology & Evolution recommends using absolute abundance to monitor biodiversity, providing a more precise estimate of species population sizes. This method is harder to collect but offers a more accurate picture of biodiversity, enabling effective conservation actions and policy decisions.
Researchers identified genes controlling sorghum flowering and found that overexpressing one gene can delay flowering, increasing plant growth and biomass. The study provides new insights into optimizing sorghum for bioenergy goals.
A breakthrough in DNA sequencing technology has identified the fungus genus Ceratobasidium as the culprit behind cassava witches' broom disease. This discovery will help plant pathologists in Laos and other Southeast Asian countries protect their crops, supporting millions of smallholder farmers who rely on cassava.
Scientists have created genetically modified bioluminescent petunias that emit an ethereal glow, making them up to 100 times brighter than previous plants. The new research builds on earlier discoveries and shows the genetic modifications also elevate luminescence in yeast and mammalian cells.
A new AI-powered app can identify poison ivy in real-time, providing a measure of certainty for detection. The app uses convolutional neural networks to recognize unique leaf arrangements and shapes, helping to minimize health concerns caused by the plant.
Researchers discovered that plants eliminate IMA1 to prevent harmful bacteria from thriving, but increasing IMA1 levels makes leaves more resistant to attack. This finding suggests a deep connection between iron availability and the plant immune system.
Plant scientists have discovered a sophisticated RNA defense system that plants use to attack gray mold cells, sending mRNA molecules that disrupt fungal cellular processes. This innovative approach could lead to the development of eco-friendly fungicides with minimal environmental impact and no harm to humans or animals.
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 recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a key brain molecule responsible for triggering overconsumption of comfort foods after stressful events. The lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neuron plays a crucial role in driving threat-induced eating associated with negative emotional states.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro found that teff increases levels of glutathione, an antioxidant molecule, and gene expression related to glutathione pathways. The study used human leukemia monocytic cells and compared ivory and brown varieties of tef, with brown teff producing higher glutathione levels.
A new study uses leaf and wood traits to estimate each species' preferred temperature and rainfall, enabling scientists to better identify suitable habitats and develop conservation strategies. The approach also helps prioritize threatened species in need of protection.
Researchers found that the OsMATL2 gene triggers haploid induction when inactivated, resulting in plants with half the normal chromosome number and reduced seed setting. This discovery could revolutionize rice cultivation by accelerating breeding processes.
Researchers found a single gene cluster that determines whether fungus aids or hinders plant growth, offering potential for reducing food waste and increasing crop yields. The study highlights the complex relationships between fungi and their host plants, challenging traditional views of pathogenic and mutualistic traits.
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.
A research team at Ritsumeikan University has identified the elusive ApiT gene in celery, crucial for apiin synthesis. The discovery may pave the way for efficient biosynthesis of apiin, a compound with potential health benefits and medicinal uses.
Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed a comprehensive 'super-pangenome' for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication. This genetic toolkit can be used to develop varieties with enhanced yield, increased disease resistance, and improved adaptability.
Gray mold is a fungus that causes billions of dollars in crop losses each year, but researchers have discovered a way to control it without using toxic chemicals. The discovery reveals that gray mold uses lipid 'bubbles' to deliver RNA molecules that silence plant immune systems.
Researchers developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural fields, reducing the number of samples needed by 30%. The approach uses doubly balanced sampling and accounts for auxiliary information available in elevation maps, satellite images, and previous surveys. By improving soil sampling efficiency, thi...
An international team of scientists used nondestructive chemical analysis to uncover subtle changes in ancient Egyptian funerary paintings, including reworked motifs and pigments. The discovery sheds new light on the creative process and intellectual identities of pharaonic artists, revealing a more dynamic and complex artistic tradition.
Researchers developed a novel DNA marker-based system for identifying Japanese citrus cultivars, enabling quick detection of counterfeit fruit. The method can accurately identify cultivar-specific DNA polymorphisms within minutes, safeguarding Japan's unique citrus industry and its breeders.
Scientists have identified a natural gene variant in barley that enables plants to flower up to 18 days earlier, allowing for improved adaptation to climate change. This discovery could lead to the development of climate-resilient barley varieties with stable yields.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified new genes that regulate the surge protector in plants, which can help increase photosynthesis efficiency and boost corn yields. The discovery could lead to breeding plants better equipped to capitalize on yield-boosting sunlight.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a failed antibiotic that can effectively kill two of Australia's most problematic weeds, annual ryegrass and wild radish, without harming bacterial or human cells. This finding could lead to faster development of new weed killers, saving farmers billions of dollars each year.
A new study by CABBI researchers has identified the types of microbes associated with engineered oilcane, revealing diverse microbial associations that could increase oil yields for sustainable bioenergy production. The findings suggest that plant-microbial interactions play a key role in determining the composition of the microbiome.
A new study reveals that crops such as corn, sorghum, and millet have evolved by swapping genetic modules between cells to adapt to environmental changes. Researchers identified trends of gene module trading among the species, which may help scientists pinpoint genes controlling drought tolerance.