Articles tagged with Farming
A new study reveals that Xanthomonas euvesicatoria has evolved to evade the immune system of tomato plants by changing a single amino acid in its flagellin proteins. This finding poses significant challenges for breeding disease-resistant tomato varieties, forcing farmers to rely on fungicides and copper treatments.
Research reveals a lag of 5-10 years between reduced fungicide use and decrease in fungicide-resistant pathogens. The study's findings provide insights into the impact of fungicide resistance on global distributions of pathogens.
Banana Blood disease has arrived in mainland Malaysia, spreading rapidly across the country and potentially threatening food security. The disease, first reported in Indonesia in 1905, has already devastated banana plantations in many parts of Southeast Asia.
A new study found that farmers are extremely knowledgeable about pollinators and have taken initiatives to protect insects on their farms. However, more flexible funding options and cooperation between research and practice are needed to realize their full conservation potential.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a framework to understand how herbicides interact and drift onto unintended plants, affecting crops and the environment. The study found that genetically modified crop introduction influences herbicide use rates and practices, leading to increased drift.
Scientists have measured the speed of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, a bacterium causing citrus greening disease. The bacteria can colonize a tree in around 80-100 days, faster than symptoms appear, making it difficult to control.
Researchers investigated how providing information about alternative feedstuffs impacts consumer preferences. They found that consumers are more likely to prefer insect-based feed due to sustainability claims. The study emphasizes the importance of labelling and transparency for the acceptance of these alternatives.
A recent study uses machine learning to rapidly discover bacterial isolates with antifungal properties, identifying promising new compounds for crop protection. The approach analyzes thousands of microbial genomes at once, allowing researchers to identify novel beneficial microbes and bypass traditional screening tactics.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a gene-editing method to control the sex of mouse offspring, demonstrating its potential to reduce culling in scientific research and farming. The technology shows 100% efficiency in producing single-sex litters, with minimal impact on litter size.
Researchers found that consumers are willing to pay a small discount for imperfect carrots, maxing out at 40% of misshapen carrots. Marketing messages promoting the nutritional quality and societal benefits of ugly produce were more effective in convincing consumers to buy.
A new study found that having crop insurance in Indiana discourages the use of cover crops, which promote soil health and productivity. However, the impact is relatively minor, with only a 0.494% reduction in cover crop adoption rates for each percentage point increase in crop insurance participation.
Research from the University of Göttingen reveals that milk producers in Cameroon employ strategies such as dairy-focused training and farm diversification to maintain their livelihoods after a supply chain disruption. The study's findings highlight the importance of adequate support for smallholder producers.
Researchers reconstruct Land of Israel climate at end of last ice age using plant remains, revealing significant temperature and precipitation differences that impacted the transition from hunter-gatherer to settled agricultural societies. The study provides insights into the region's flora and its response to past climate change.
A research team led by Barbara Mazzolai has created a soft, biodegradable, and soluble velcro that mimics the micro-hook structure of leaves on the 'catchweed' plant, enabling devices for environmental monitoring and precision farming. The technology reduces pesticide use and promotes sustainable agriculture practices.
A new Illinois study compares performance of static and dynamic nitrogen recommendation tools, finding that complex dynamic tools do not consistently increase profits but offer a 15% reduction in nitrogen leaching. The researchers highlight the need to refine these tools and prioritize environmental outcomes over economic gains.
Researchers found that digital fencing technology makes goat farming easier by eliminating the need for physical fences. The system also enables farmers to monitor their goats' movements and prevent animal welfare concerns.
New study traces common ancestry of Japanese, Korean, and Tungusic languages to millet cultivation and early Amur gene pool in West Liao River region. The Farming Hypothesis is supported by linguistic, archaeological, and genetic evidence showing early farmers' spread across Northeast Asia.
Farmers in the African Sahel have developed crop diversity strategies to cope with high seasonal variability and rising temperatures caused by climate change. By alternating long and short-cycle crop varieties, such as sorghum and pearl millet, they maintain food security despite changing environmental conditions.
To combat basil downy mildew, researchers recommend using resistant basil varieties, as well as environmental modifications like keeping leaves dry and dehumidifying the air. Fungicides are also effective in controlling the disease, but their use must be alternated to prevent resistance development.
A new viral disease caused by Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has emerged, threatening global tomato production. ToBRFV overcomes the durable Tm-2² resistance gene, which had remained unbroken for over half a century.
Researchers found that urban waste products applied to agricultural fields in France contained higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than livestock manures. The study also detected a shift towards more persistent PFAS compounds over time, raising toxicity concerns.
Researchers applied a physics method to Balinese rice irrigation practices, finding that a balance between water stress and pest stress is crucial for equilibrium. The traditional method, which involves synchronized flooding, can help maintain social harmony and prevent chaos in water schedules.
A German study reveals that glyphosate and dozens of other pesticides are spreading through the air for miles into national parks and cities. The analysis was published in a peer-reviewed journal and shows that agricultural toxins like glyphosate are classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.
A meta-analysis by the University of Basel found that no-till farming alone does not achieve desired results in sustainable agriculture. Retaining crop residues on fields after harvest prevails over no-till farming in promoting carbon storage, soil protection and increased yields.
Over an 80-year period, marketable ear mass in sweet corn hybrids grown at high densities increased by 2.85 tons per acre, while fresh kernel mass and recovery showed minimal changes. Modern hybrids were found to be more suitable for growth at high densities due to their compact plant architecture.
Research suggests that concentrate farming allows for more natural habitats while meeting future food targets, resulting in better biodiversity outcomes compared to wildlife-friendly agriculture. This approach also sequesters more carbon and may benefit marine life.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a three-phase approach to optimize the hydraulic systems of tractors and implements. The team built a simulation model and tested it in a lab before conducting real-world tests on a tractor-planter combo. The results show improved efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
The National Science Foundation awarded a four-year project to study ancient agriculture in south-central Veracruz, Mexico. The researchers aim to understand the factors that contributed to the area's agricultural collapse and its potential implications for modern farming.
A new University of Illinois study integrates field data and advanced mathematical modeling to understand how cover crops affect soil water, nitrogen, and oxygen dynamics. The research finds that proper management of cover crops can balance their benefits with cash crop yields, while ignoring the impacts without optimization.
A study has identified key risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among farmworkers in California. These include proximity to infected individuals, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and seasonal flu-like symptoms.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to create systems that enable plants to communicate their hidden biology to sensors, optimizing growth and the local environment. This will lead to breakthrough discoveries, new educational opportunities, and transformative management of crops.
New research explores conditions for humans and wolves to coexist peacefully in rural communities. Successful approaches to supporting communities have been identified, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating traditional knowledge and skills in living alongside large carnivores.
A new study reveals evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China, with ancient pots found at a burial site containing residues consistent with beer fermentation. The discovery suggests that ritualized drinking played a significant role in forging social relationships and cooperation among ancient communities.
Carnivorous animals lack key genes needed to detect and respond to infection, making them asymptomatic carriers of disease-causing pathogens. This can lead to the formation of undetected disease reservoirs that can mutate and become a risk to human health.
Researchers found that consuming pecans daily or substituting them for similar calories in the diet improved total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests a more sustainable approach to lowering cholesterol and reducing coronary artery disease risk.
Researchers found that no-till production farmers can reduce herbicide use by implementing integrated weed-management practices, such as high-residue cultivation and seeding companion crops. Despite increased weed pressure, crop yields and profits were not significantly affected.
Researchers found that many collectors are planting seeds in forests to conserve wild populations, but also using commercially acquired seeds from online purchases, threatening the plant's gene pool. The study aims to better understand ginseng forest farming and promote conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Citrus canker has reappeared in Texas after a 70-year absence, threatening the state's $200M commercial citrus industry. Collaborative eradication efforts are underway between the USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, and universities to prevent further spread.
The University of Exeter has developed a virtual safe space tool called BEE-STEWARD to test different land management techniques for bumblebee survival. The tool provides a computer simulation of bumblebee colony survival in a given landscape, allowing researchers and farmers to predict the impact of their decisions.
A new study reveals significant differences in forest recovery rates across Amazonian countries, with some experiencing little to no recovery even 20 years after deforestation. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to protect and restore remaining forests.
New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.
A study published in Nature Plants found that mixed cultures of crops can produce higher yields than monocultures due to the biodiversity effect. This approach involves sowing multiple species or varieties alongside each other, resulting in increased plant productivity and effective natural pest control without pesticides.
Researchers found evidence of intensive land use for farming and fishing over 3,500 years ago in the Llanos de Mojos region of Bolivia. This discovery counters the often-held notion of a pristine Amazon before Europeans arrived and provides new insights into the history of culturally diverse but understudied cultures.
A new study led by CABI reveals that women play a crucial role in contract farming and the food value chain, but face significant barriers to participation. The research highlights the need for gender-inclusive approaches to promote equality and shared decision-making amongst men and women.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that mixed farming methods could eliminate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the US if established across high-quality cropland. The methods reduce synthetic fertilizer use and increase protein production while reducing beef consumption by 20%.
A new study found that people blame wild animal trade or government preparation for epidemic outbreaks instead of animal agriculture and global meat consumption. The research highlights the critical need to understand the causes and risks posed by animal agriculture in preventing future pandemics and zoonotic diseases.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed an AI-driven drone system to detect and track Sosnovsky's hogweed, a plant causing severe burns and ecosystem damage. The system uses real-time image segmentation on board drones to identify individual plants, increasing localization efficiency by multifold.
Researchers found differences in tool size, weight, and raw material dependent on sex, with women's tools linked to animal skin work and men's to hunting. This suggests that gendered roles played a crucial part in the transition to farming.
A new study by Stanford-led researchers finds that aquaculture has made significant strides toward sustainability, but more oversight is needed to ensure economically viable systems. The industry's impact on the environment and its ability to deliver on its promise are being reevaluated.
Research finds female-owned farms in the US are more common in areas closer to urban markets and engage in agritourism, offering greater childcare access. Average farm size, annual sales, and types of farm activities also correlate with female participation.
Research integrating genetics and archaeology reveals that diverse East Asians derive ancestry from a shared lineage that split over 40,000 years ago. This ancient lineage contributed to the development of modern languages, including Sino-Tibetan and Japonic families.
Researchers found that deforestation for large-scale commodity farms leads to decreased rainfall rates and higher surface temperatures compared to small-scale farms. Temperature increases range from 1.05 to 3.06 °C in deforested lands dominated by commodity farms.
The EU-funded SHOWCASE project aims to integrate biodiversity into farming practices through a 5-year research collaboration between farmers, scientists, and conservationists. The project will explore socio-economic incentives for farmers to adopt biodiversity-friendly practices, which are currently underutilized.
Researchers found that many small farmers lack internet and mobile network access due to high costs and limited coverage. The study highlights the need to expand coverage and make digital connectedness affordable for all, particularly in Africa.
Researchers identified 132 heat-tolerant sweetpotato varieties, 65.9% of which are traditional local varieties, demonstrating good heat tolerance and potential for selection as high-yield, heat-tolerant varieties.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been chosen to coordinate a regional effort to address farmer and rancher stress in the South. The three-year project aims to provide stress management assistance for people in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations as well as their families.
The study found that paddy rice farming and grasses increased significantly between 2,700 and 2,000 years ago, indicating anthropogenic deforestation and expansion of rice agriculture in southern China and Southeast Asia. Over the past 3,000 years, coastal landscapes expanded coinciding with suitable land for growing rice.
A study reveals that ancient Peruvian farmers used floodwater from El Niño events for agriculture, benefiting from flushed-out salts and flexible irrigation systems. This ancient farming practice allowed for runoff harvesting and river water distribution, suggesting potential agricultural advantages during El Niño events.
A new study suggests that climate change may increase rice yields in Japan and other tropical areas due to longer growing seasons. Researchers found that combining a normal harvest time with a high cutting height can lead to higher yields in rice ratooning, a farming practice where the crop is cut and regrown.
A unique study reveals that EU agricultural subsidies flow to intensively farmed regions causing environmental damage, while poorer regions are underfunded. The Common Agricultural Policy's €54 billion annual budget is concentrated in the hands of only 20% of farmers.