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Chinese scientists find structural variation that boosts grain number in sorghum

Researchers have uncovered two major genes responsible for sorghum's double-grain spikelet, leading to a significant increase in grain number and crop yield. The study found that the DG1 gene regulates floret meristem formation and differentiation, restoring fertility to the lower floret and resulting in the double-grain trait.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Chinese scientists find key genes to fight against crop parasites

Researchers have identified two ABCG family SL transporter genes, SbSLT1 and SbSLT2, responsible for sorghum's resistance to Striga. Knocking out these genes inhibits SL secretion, preventing Striga germination and infestation. This breakthrough has wide-ranging applications in enhancing parasitic plant resistance across various crops.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 12, 2025

From root to shoot: How silicon powers plant resilience

Researchers at Okayama University have identified the Shoot-Silicon-Signal protein as a crucial regulator of silicon uptake and accumulation in rice and other grasses. The study highlights the importance of silicon in enhancing plant resilience and productivity, particularly under climate change conditions.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2025

Tanzania fertilizer use increased after intervention, but changes were not sustained, study shows

A study found that smallholder farmers in Tanzania used more fertilizer and had higher crop yields after an intervention, but the benefits did not last. The researchers attribute the lack of long-term adoption to liquidity constraints and structural factors such as fertilizer availability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEconomic Development and Cultural Change·TypeObservational study·DateJun 18, 2024

Biodiversity in the margins: Merging farmlands affects natural pest control

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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2024

Satellite images of plants’ fluorescence can predict crop yields

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a framework to predict crop yield using satellite images of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This approach could help farmers react to changing conditions, improve crop health, and reduce poverty. By leveraging satellite data, the method is cheaper and faster than traditional yiel...

SourceCornell University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 1, 2024

Marine algae implants could boost crop yields

Researchers have discovered the gene responsible for producing a unique type of chlorophyll in marine algae. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields on less land, making it a key step towards achieving a more sustainable food supply. The study also demonstrated that a land plant can produce this specific type of chlorophyll.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2024

Uncovering the 150-year history of Japanese beer barley breeding

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.

SourceOkayama University·JournalBreeding Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

How could global food production break down?

A new analysis by Aalto University reveals that industrial agriculture is highly sensitive to shocks in agricultural inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The study models the impacts of these shocks on crop yields and food availability globally, identifying high-risk areas for the greatest yield losses.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Food·DateNov 15, 2023

AI drones to help farmers optimize vegetable yields

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an AI-powered drone system that analyzes young plants to predict their expected growth characteristics. By identifying optimal harvest times, farmers can reduce waste and improve their income by up to 20.4%, while also benefiting consumers and the environment.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2023

Give abandoned croplands a second chance to boost climate mitigation and food security, urges new study

Researchers found that globally abandoned cropland could feed up to 476 million people per year if recultivated and help pull planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through reforestation. The study highlights the potential of this often-neglected resource in supporting both food security and climate change mitigation.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 1, 2023

Top corn producing state to see future drop in yield, cover crop efficiency

A new study suggests that while winter cover crops can reduce nitrogen pollution by up to 30%, their effectiveness will decrease under future climate scenarios. Illinois' corn yields are expected to suffer more than soybean yields, especially in southern regions, as warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns impact crop growth.

Adapting to climate change: Researchers find natural gene variant that allows barley to flower earlier

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.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2023

Understanding the long-term impact of climate change on Indian crops

A new study reveals that Indian farmers have adapted to climate change by changing management practices and using hardier crop varieties. However, the impact of climate change on crop yields varies across crops and regions, with some areas experiencing greater benefits than others.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalAgricultural Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023

Drones over Texas reveal agricultural damage caused by wild pigs

Researchers used drones to capture images of corn fields damaged by wild pigs in Texas, finding an average loss of 3,416 kg of corn per hectare and a direct cost to producers of up to $48.24 per hectare. The damage occurred mainly in later growth stages, when corn ears were maturing.

SourceWiley·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·DateApr 19, 2023