Articles tagged with Crop Yields
A new study by Cornell University and Washington State University found that climate change will force farmers to choose between lower yields and higher revenue volatility. The research team used a model to explore the impact of drought-tolerant crop varieties, which can improve average yields but also increase revenue fluctuations.
A global meta-analysis of organic farming systems reveals a significant increase in biodiversity and profitability relative to conventional agriculture. The study found that larger field sizes around organic sites are associated with higher biodiversity, but lower crop yields and profit margins compared to conventional sites.
A new study found that shutting down coal-fired plants in the US reduces nearby pollution, saving an estimated 26,610 lives between 2005 and 2016. The transition from coal to natural gas also improves crop yields, with a loss of 10.2 billion bushels of crops avoided.
Midwest farmers adopting reduced tillage increased corn and soybean yields by 3.3% and 0.74%, respectively, while improving soil health and lowering production costs.
A new study reveals that climate change could significantly reduce or eliminate gains in banana crop yields worldwide, with 27 countries experiencing increased yields since 1961. By 2050, 10 major producers including India and Brazil are predicted to see significant declines in yields.
Researchers have isolated over 40 different bacteria isolates that can tolerate ocean-level salt content, including Halomonas and Bacillus, which stimulate plant growth in high-saline conditions.
A new line of barley has been bred to resist heat, salt, and drought, producing up to 20% higher yields under adverse conditions. The breed combines the advantageous properties of industrial and wild barley, with genetic analysis revealing key gene variants for improved stress tolerance.
A new computer model simulates stomatal movements in response to light, enabling scientists to predict crop yields and climate change effects. The model has the potential to create virtual plants for more accurate predictions, improving food productivity sustainably.
Researchers argue that increasing crop yields is insufficient to end global hunger, as it overlooks the environmental impacts and nutritional quality of diets. A new study suggests that adopting ecological principles can improve the environmental sustainability of food production and promote biodiversity.
Researchers found that climate extremes account for 18%-43% of yield fluctuations in staple crops like maize and spring wheat. Temperature, rather than precipitation, plays a significant role in predicting crop yields.
A team of scientists has developed a dynamic model that predicts which photosynthetic manipulations will boost wheat and sorghum crop yields. The study found that enhancing photosynthesis can increase or decrease crop yield depending on environmental conditions.
A new paper by Yale researchers confirms that increasing soil organic carbon boosts yields until concentrations reach about 2 percent, after which returns diminish. Roughly two-thirds of agricultural soils dedicated to maize and wheat fall below this threshold, suggesting vast potential for policies promoting increased SOM.
Researchers with NASA and UChicago institutions developed a new approach to improve crop yield predictions by incorporating planting and harvesting data into models. This method shows improved accuracy in matching observed yields, enabling more robust simulations of droughts and heat waves' impacts on food supplies and prices.
Scientists have identified a significant link between spring cold spells and crop yield losses in North China. Continuous negative temperature anomalies during these events can lead to devastating effects on wheat yields, resulting in losses of up to 20%.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that warmer temperatures and localized cooling have contributed to increased maize production in the US. A longer growing season and reduced exposure to high temperatures have boosted yields, with over a quarter of the increase attributed to these factors.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are using satellite data to estimate crop yield in the US Corn Belt. By integrating various spectral bands and analyzing them together, they've uncovered valuable information on crop biomass and environmental stresses related to drought and heat.
By 2050, climate change will significantly reduce crop yields in the Southwest due to reduced precipitation and increased water stress. The region's water basins, including those used for cotton and forage production, are projected to experience severe shortages.
Studying pea genetics and environmental factors, researchers found that pea yield is affected by both genetics and environment, but environment has a larger impact. The study also identified pea varieties with higher protein and resistant starch content, which can benefit human health and the environment.
Researchers developed a method to estimate crop yields from space using high-resolution satellites, which could improve agricultural productivity and test intervention strategies. By combining satellite imagery with computer models of crop growth, they achieved surprisingly accurate predictions of actual productivity on the field.
Researchers developed a mapping system to identify areas where new roads can increase food production with minimal environmental cost. The study found potential for massive habitat conversion in some proposals, but also identified areas where new roads could substantially boost food production through improved transport links.
Researchers have identified a way to manipulate photosynthesis in plants to increase light-harvesting ability and biomass production. The modified plants outperformed controls by 11-14% under fluctuating light conditions, with greater leaf area and plant height.
Researchers find using heat-tolerant sorghum varieties can increase crop yield under higher temperatures, but late sowing and collecting rainfall show minimal benefits. The study suggests a novel framework to assess the effectiveness of different adaptation options for West African farmers.
A team of researchers has sequenced the cassava genome to identify genetic diversity and improve breeding strategies. The study reveals that past breeding programs have reduced genetic diversity in Africa, affecting crop yields.
Field studies show that automated thinners increase plant size and uniformity, leading to larger plant and heart weight compared to hand-thinning methods. The technology optimizes in-row spacing, allowing growers to increase crop yields.
The University of Illinois and Syngenta have signed an agreement to implement a commercialization strategy for the 'RIPE' project, which aims to improve photosynthetic efficiency in food crops. The partnership brings together academic groups with industry partner Syngenta to advance technologies developed under the project.
A study suggests that increasing nitrogen use efficiency globally can improve crop yields while reducing nitrous oxide emissions and other forms of nitrogen pollution. Researchers propose specific targets for different regions to achieve a global average nitrogen use efficiency of 70% by 2050.
A University of Illinois study found that crop prices can increase corn yields by up to one-third due to better management practices and two-thirds due to additional planted acreage. Climate change is expected to reduce corn yields, but farmers' responsiveness to price changes can mitigate this impact.
A new study by TUM scientists links climate change to declining crop yields and humus stocks in arable soils. The researchers found that the stagnation in yields coincides with a decline in organic matter input into the soil, leading to a depletion of humus.
Every day, 2,000 hectares of irrigated land in arid regions are degraded by salt, affecting 20% of the world's irrigated lands. The study estimates global economic losses at $27.3 billion per year due to salt-induced land degradation.
A new study from MIT warns that climate change and air pollution can combine to reduce crop yields, with effects varying by region. The study found that ozone pollution can cause significant damage to crops, particularly in the US where stricter regulations may mitigate its impact.
Scientists have identified a new mutant plant that stores excessive amounts of starch, allowing it to maintain its size despite reduced sucrose availability. The NEX1 mutant combines high growth rates with large starch reserves, making it an attractive candidate for crops used as silage and human feed.
A new Stanford study reveals that European farmers will face significant crop yield losses due to climate change, but adapting can help slow the decline. The research shows that adaptation options such as switching varieties or installing irrigation can reduce yield losses by up to 87% for corn.
A study by the University of Leeds reveals that global warming of 2°C will negatively impact crop yields in temperate and tropical regions, with reduced yields starting from the 2030s. The impact of climate change on crops will vary from year-to-year and place-to-place, becoming more erratic.
Research suggests that future global food security projections may be overly optimistic due to stagnant crop yields in intensively cropped areas. This could lead to increased marginal costs and decreased returns on investment in agricultural research and development.
A study by Washington State University researchers compared high tunnel and open-field production systems for lettuce and tomato. High tunnel-grown tomatoes were three times more profitable than open-field production, while lettuce was less profitable due to higher labor costs.
Current global crop yields are not increasing quickly enough to support estimated global needs in 2050, according to a University of Minnesota study. The analysis identifies focus areas for closing the gap, including targeting investments on arable lands and improving best management practices.
A new study finds that global crop yields are increasing at a slower rate than needed to meet projected demands in 2050. The top three countries producing rice and wheat have low yield growth rates, highlighting the need for targeted investments to increase production.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new crop modeling system called SALUS to better predict global wheat yields and their impact on the environment. The system integrates multiple crop simulations with improved climate change models, reducing uncertainties and providing more accurate forecasts.
Michigan State University has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the USDA to support specialty crop yields and profit through improved pollination management. The five-year project aims to develop region- and crop-specific Integrated Crop Pollination approaches using honey bees, wild bees, and alternative managed bees.
The new screening technique uncovers five novel immune-priming compounds in Arabidopsis plants that protect crops without impacting growth or yield. These compounds work by inhibiting enzymes that inactivate defense hormone salicylic acid, leading to enhanced disease resistance.
A Wildlife Conservation Society program, COMACO, has improved rural livelihoods while restoring local wildlife populations. The study found that COMACO farmers had higher crop yields and improved soil quality, contributing to the stabilization of wildlife populations.
A new report found that high-yield crop varieties developed during the Green Revolution have helped keep greenhouse gas emissions at bay, avoiding nearly 600 billion tons of CO2. The study estimated that agricultural research has averted carbon dioxide emissions at a cost of about $4 per ton of CO2.
A study predicts that US crop yields could decrease by 30-46% over the next century under slow global warming scenarios and by 63-82% under rapid scenarios. Crop yields are most vulnerable to temperatures above 29-32 degrees Celsius, depending on the crop.
Research suggests that corn yield stability improves when rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy; dairy manure applications can support continuous corn in high-yielding years but hinder it in low-yielding years. Synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure negatively impact continuous corn yields.
A new study published in Agronomy Journal reveals that reduced tillage can increase peanut crop yields, but the effects of crop rotation and tillage on pest development are more complex. The research found an independent relationship between tillage and rotation practices with respect to peanut yield and pest development.
Despite pollinator decline, global crop yields have consistently grown at 1.5% per year since 1961 due to agricultural improvements. However, research detected warning signs of growing demand for pollinators and declining yield growth in highly dependent crops.
A study investigates the potential of a Simple Inverse Yield Model (SIYM) for estimating plant-available water capacity in fields. The results show that measured plant-available water capacity correlates with corn yield better in dry years, but SIYM estimates are weaker in claypan soils.
Researchers at Kew Gardens are testing a sensor device that gathers crucial data on air temperature, humidity, and soil moisture to help farmers in Africa make informed decisions about planting and harvesting. The device aims to optimize crop yields, reduce waste, and improve food security for local communities.
A study funded by Cargill Crop Nutrition found that varying nitrogen application rates can increase corn yield with similar or higher nitrogen rates, but may not improve grain quality. Researchers also discovered that one hybrid performed better than the other under both uniform and varied nitrogen applications.
A recent study found that pesticides block a key receptor in soil bacteria, disrupting natural nitrogen-fixing communications. This results in lower crop yields or significantly delayed growth. The research highlights the importance of preserving natural symbiotic relationships between crops and soil bacteria.
Dutch researcher Rachel van Ooteghem's innovative control system optimizes climate conditions in a solar greenhouse, leading to a 39% increase in crop yield and a 52% reduction in gas usage. The system uses sustainable energy and minimizes waste heat, resulting in lower costs for growers.
The study found that farmers who participated in workshops made better decisions in response to good information, resulting in improved crop yields. The researchers also found that the workshops increased the use of forecast information among farmers, particularly those in subsistence farming.
A recent study found that gradual temperature increases cause significant decreases in crop productivity for corn and soybeans. Climate is identified as a crucial factor in crop yield trends, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's unique approach separates the effects of climate and technology on yield trends.
Organic farming methods produced 20% smaller crop yields compared to conventional farming, but made up for it in ecological benefits. The study found that organic soils were more fertile, had a larger community of organisms, and decomposed more efficiently.