Articles tagged with Farming
Global warming poses a significant threat to rice production, which has historically been heat-loving but is now facing its limits. Rice can tolerate temperatures below 82°F and 104°F, but rising temperatures will accelerate beyond these thresholds.
A new study found that children who start primary school at older ages completed more years of schooling, had greater wealth in adulthood, and fewer teen pregnancies. This delay allowed them to develop greater literacy and was associated with better health outcomes, including lower rates of HIV infection and child death.
Researchers developed a hybrid engine to predict sugar beet disease by combining drone images, weather data, and qPCR-based airborne spore monitoring. The system reduced prediction error by up to 39% and provided accurate forecasts of disease severity.
A new system can map soil moisture tree by tree, allowing growers to water specific trees if they're dry. Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for plant health, as too little water can stress trees, while too much water can deprive roots of oxygen.
A new study finds that dairy manure digesters are highly effective in reducing methane emissions from cow manure, with most systems performing well. However, occasional leaks of large magnitude offset the climate benefits, highlighting the need for thorough monitoring and verification.
Researchers analyzed 48 isolates of P. griseola and found a potential symbiotic relationship between the fungus and endophytic bacterium Achromobacter xylosoxidans, influencing disease severity. The study sheds light on how the pathogen evolves and may point to new strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive wheat disease that can reduce yields and contaminate grain with toxins. New research in Plant Disease identified several emerging fungal pathogens, including a previously undescribed species, responsible for the severe outbreak in Ethiopia.
A comprehensive study reveals that staple crops such as maize, rice, and cassava are responsible for about 11% of all agriculture-driven deforestation globally. In contrast, major export-oriented commodities like cocoa, coffee, and rubber cause less than 5% of deforestation.
Researchers found that tilling and compaction disrupt intricate capillary networks within the soil, causing it to pool rainwater and form a muddy crust. The study provides a clear explanation for why tillage changes the structure of soil in ways that affect water retention.
A new study uses fiber-optic sensors to monitor water movement through the soil, revealing that common farming practices can pool water near the surface, reducing its availability to plants. This can lead to crop drought stress and decreased yield.
A new study suggests that ultra-sensitive food safety tests may drive food waste and unavailability without significant public health benefits. The researchers propose using more flexible risk-based approaches to align food safety policies with sustainability goals.
A study by Frontiers in Science argues that ultra-sensitive food safety tests may drive food waste and unavailability, but not always translate to health risk. The researchers propose a more balanced approach that considers trade-offs between food safety, sustainability, and nutritional health.
Researchers used aeroponic technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, delivering the recommended daily allowance in a single serving. The fortified crop maintained shelf-life and persisted through cold storage, offering a commercially viable approach to dietary supplementation.
Research from Johns Hopkins University found that tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce accumulate pharmaceutical byproducts in their leaves, which may be a concern for consumers eating the fruit and roots of these vegetables
Researchers discover that resistant soybean varieties actively recruit beneficial soil microorganisms to suppress the devastating soybean cyst nematode. These microbes can be transferred to soil to help defend susceptible soybeans, providing a promising new approach for sustainable crop protection.
The report highlights the need for an agreed definition of healthy soil, scalable biological indicators, and collaborative transitions to sustainable land management practices. It emphasizes the importance of building trust and aligning diverse priorities among all soil stakeholders.
A new study from Ethiopia reveals that conservation agriculture methods like no-dig, crop-rotation, and mulching can significantly reduce water runoff and soil loss. These eco-friendly techniques have been shown to increase crop yields by as much as 122%.
The Morrow Plots, established in 1876, have been a hub for long-term agricultural research and outreach. The plots have directly impacted farming practices by proving methods like crop rotation and judicious fertilizer use boost crop yield and soil health.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
New research from Cranfield University analyzed the environmental impact of fresh apples sold in the UK, finding that imports from water-stressed regions like South Africa and Spain have significantly higher water scarcity impacts. The study suggests regional sourcing can help manage trade-offs across the supply chain.
Researchers used a virus-based CRISPR system to edit the gatekeeper enzyme HMGR in petunias and lettuce, unlocking natural metabolic control for enhanced aromatic compounds and health-promoting antioxidants. The result was more vigorous growth, stronger floral fragrance, and increased nutritional value.
La Trobe University researchers developed a new way to measure and report farm environmental performance using Farm-scale Natural Capital Accounting. The method combines production data, remote sensing, ecological modeling, and on-ground assessments to deliver transparent and verifiable farm-scale accounts.
A new method to extract phosphorus from the Baltic Sea could reduce Europe's dependence on imported phosphate mining, revitalizing the ecosystem. Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a two-step approach using microbes to loosen and bind phosphorus.
Researchers identified 255 insect species in perennial grasses, but few in annual grasses, highlighting the importance of unmown refuges for biodiversity
Researchers developed an AI-based system to generate high-resolution soybean yield maps across Brazil, leveraging knowledge from U.S.-based models through transfer learning. The approach achieved strong predictive performance without using municipal-level yield data, improving estimates for this key agricultural region.
A new strain of yellow rust pathogen has broken down a key resistance gene, leaving over 50% of the UK's wheat acreage vulnerable. Researchers are racing against time to find new resistance genes and breed them into modern wheat varieties.
The University of Tennessee Center for Dairy Advancement and Sustainability has received an additional $3.45 million in funding for the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, a nationwide network to facilitate regional efforts to support dairy businesses.
Meha Jain's research uses satellite data and machine learning to understand how smallholder farms adapt to climate change, revealing nuanced patterns of groundwater use and environmental impact. Her work aims to inform sustainable production strategies for food security, with a focus on identifying effective interventions.
The METAGROLAND project aims to improve environmental farming schemes by studying plant-pollinator interactions and land manager networks. Key findings include the development of practical guidance for agri-environmental schemes that align ecological processes with real-world management.
The John Innes Centre has been awarded £21.5m in funding to support four precision breeding projects, aiming to reduce emissions and strengthen crop resilience. These projects will help protect two major agricultural crops from diseases, enhance the nutritional content of tomatoes, and develop sustainable sources of rubber.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that a poverty intervention program in Bangladesh may reinforce gender gaps. The program, BRAC-TUP, provides families with livestock assets, technical training, and life-skills coaching, but its impact on education for girls is limited.
A recent study by RIKEN researchers analyzed the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on mandarin oranges in real-world farms across Japan. The findings showed that reducing chemical pesticides led to more fruit diseases, while also enhancing soil microbial diversity and improving carbon content. This trade-off highlights the need for...
A $4.9 million Gates Foundation grant will support the development of self-cloning crops in India, improving agricultural productivity and accessibility for smallholder farmers. The project aims to expand synthetic apomixis technology into staple crops like pearl millet and Indian mustard.
The study maps where and how millions of animals may be affected by heat stress in Europe. Regional differences were found, with southern European countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and Romania likely to face significant impacts.
A research team at UNH uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor corn fields, providing insights into crop yields and disease risks. The study demonstrates the ability of UAV imagery to differentiate between corn varieties with high accuracy.
Researchers analyzed stone tools from 14 archaeological sites and found starch granules from the Four Corners Potato, supporting early domestication. The study reveals that Indigenous people intentionally cultivated and transported the tuber across the Colorado Plateau.
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 study of European farmers' protests reveals a wide range of concerns including environmental regulations, which differ between countries. Farmers in Germany criticized bureaucracy, while French farmers focused on financial pressures, Belgian farmers expressed a broad mix of concerns, and Dutch farmers voiced dissatisfaction with policy.
A new study from Cornell University researchers found that improved farm productivity is the driving force behind reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Technological advances improving land efficiencies played a larger role in reducing emissions than labor efficiency improvements.
Scientists differentiate between human-derived and hydrological contributions to riverine nitrogen pollution, finding that about half of the increase in nitrogen loss is due to human activity. The study suggests tailored solutions for different regions, focusing on reducing fertilizer inputs and managing precipitation.
A study found that hydroclimatic extremes and changes in agriculture led to the collapse of the Tang dynasty in 907 CE. The research analyzed tree ring data and concluded that increased droughts and floods took a toll on the empire's outer borders and agricultural systems.
Researchers have developed a new way to produce ammonia, a common fertilizer, that is cleaner and more efficient than traditional methods. The process uses calcium nitride and hydrogen atoms to create ammonia without emitting carbon dioxide, and can be scaled up for widespread use.
A new study suggests that avocado growing areas in India will moderately expand northward and to higher elevations under low to moderate global emissions. However, if global emissions continue to rise, suitable zones may fragment and destabilize by 2070. The researchers call for conservation and climate-resilient cultivation strategies.
Experiments show that polyester microfibers in soil negatively affect cherry tomato plant growth throughout their lifecycle. The presence of these contaminants may have significant effects on plant development and ecosystem health.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland explores how regenerative farmers partner with nature in their decision-making processes. The study reveals that farmers prioritize ecosystem resilience and holistic well-being, acknowledging nature's agency and including it in deliberation and decision-making.
A new study reveals that farmers in the Northeast are facing a growing threat of tick-borne diseases, which can be devastating to their livelihoods. The research found that farmers often experience multiple tick bites per month, with some contracting serious illnesses like Lyme carditis.
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.
A UAlbany researcher will study how PFAS 'forever chemicals' accumulate in plants, affecting their nutritional quality and safety. The study aims to understand the dynamics of PFAS in soil-plant systems and develop regulatory standards to protect public health.
A new AI method has identified 51 old pea varieties with high starch and protein content, potentially suitable for producing plant-based foods. The study shows a close relationship between seed appearance and chemical composition, enabling partial prediction of properties based on images.
University of Houston engineers have discovered that melatonin helps plants grow by adjusting biological processes to coincide with daily cycles. The hormone also enhances photosynthesis and improves stress tolerance in crops.
The ECHOES team released an executive report on regenerative agriculture and resilient food systems during COP30, featuring case studies from the Andean, African, and Asian regions. The report showcases sustainable farming practices rooted in local Indigenous knowledge systems.
A breakthrough study has identified varieties and key genes to halt pre-harvest sprouting in groundnut due to unseasonal rains, offering a powerful safeguard against severe financial losses. The research provides valuable insights for breeding improved varieties with fresh seed dormancy.
An international study reveals that mixing grasses, legumes, and herbs in agricultural grasslands can significantly raise yields while reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. The research shows a 12.3-tonne increase in dry matter per hectare under six-species mixtures compared to conventional systems.
A roundtable meeting in Morocco brought together experts to discuss precision breeding technologies for nutritional security and crop resilience. Precision breeding offers a targeted approach to improve crop genetics, addressing malnutrition and climate change impacts.
A study led by Trinity College Dublin finds that higher plant diversity in grasslands increases yields with lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Multispecies mixtures outperform conventional practices and offer a climate adaptation solution.
Researchers found that optimal conditions, such as cool weather and heavy traffic, minimize postharvest losses for California processing tomatoes. The study analyzed 1.4 million truckloads of tomatoes between 2011 and 2020, finding modest losses despite rising temperatures.
A recent study by Chiba University researchers found that moths can detect the ultrasonic pulse rates emitted by bats, which triggers distinct escape responses. The findings suggest that certain pulse rates signal high predation risk, causing moths to avoid flying and even stop reproduction.
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.
The Philippines faces a widening rice gap due to stagnant farms, with national output remaining largely unchanged since 2017. Regionally tailored strategies are needed to boost production and reduce dependence on imported grain.