Articles tagged with Farming
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The book highlights how AI tools enhance crop monitoring, pest control, and water conservation through data-driven insights and predictive modeling. It offers practical guidance for researchers, agricultural professionals, and technologists on applying AI responsibly in rural and emerging economies.
A new study found that medieval European societies supported plant diversity around Lake Constance, driven by agricultural practices and land management. Researchers integrated fossil pollen data with historical records to reconstruct the region's 4000-year history of biodiversity change.
A study published in Nature found that wild birds, particularly ducks, geese, and swans, are driving the current US bird flu outbreak. The viruses were introduced to North America via migratory birds and have become better adapted to infect wild birds since 2020.
A two-year field experiment in California's Central Valley found that super-high-density olive orchards can produce high-quality oil and yields with significantly reduced nitrogen fertilizer. Compost application also improved tree nutrition and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new analysis of scientific documents found that 60-80% of citation paths led to sources without supporting data, revealing much wider uncertainty ranges for irrigation's impact on grain production and freshwater withdrawals. The study highlights the need to critically evaluate foundational claims in sustainability science.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that a vegan diet can halve the carbon footprint of an individual, with reductions of 46% in CO2 emissions and 33% in land use. The study also showed that a plant-based diet delivers nearly all essential nutrients.
The EU-funded project SHOWCASE has released its final handbook on 'Farming with Biodiversity', providing a practical guide to help farmers integrate biodiversity into their operations. The handbook offers four flexible strategies to promote biodiversity-based farming, supporting EU and national policies such as CAP eco-schemes.
A new study found that the arrival of boll weevils in the US South in the early 20th century led to improved economic outcomes for Black sons born after the agricultural shock. The researchers examined changes in earnings, occupations, and residences for Black males before and after the boll weevil's appearance.
A new study from the University of Oxford estimates that adopting more plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labor needs by 5-28% by 2030, which is equivalent to 18-106 million full-time jobs. This shift could also cut global labor costs by $290-995 billion per year.
Researchers developed a tool to measure food production's impact on species survival, finding that eating beef and lamb has the biggest effect on extinctions. Switching to vegetarian diets could halve biodiversity impact in the UK.
Researchers found that African countries cannot close significant nutrient gaps through domestic food production due to land and water constraints. Strengthening agricultural productivity, reducing food loss, and strengthening trade are needed to meet people's nutritional needs.
A WSU-led study has discovered two promising cover crops that can be sold as a biofuel source and won't harm the soil. Triticale and hairy vetch showed promising results in Western and Central Washington fields, providing stable yields at low costs while adding nitrogen to the soil.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that diverse pasturelands have no effect on milk production or methane emissions, but a higher proportion of legumes can promote milk yield. The study suggests that farms should consider the benefits of diverse grassland areas for overall productivity and ecosystem benefits.
Researchers at Washington State University found that early planting to avoid heat damage may actually hinder spring wheat productivity due to other growth issues. The study used computer modeling to show that moving crop plantings earlier in the season can expose crops to elevated heat or cold stress in later growth stages.
Climate change is predicted to increase suitable land for tea cultivation in China, with the overall range shifting northwards. Machine learning models were used to analyze China's four major tea-producing regions.
Engineers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants to replace existing toxic lubricants in modern farming equipment. The new lubricant reduces friction and prevents seed jamming, outperforming commercial talc and microplastic lubricants.
The US has traditionally been an agricultural powerhouse but global dynamics are changing due to political and economic factors. Row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton are experiencing stagnant or declining exports, with the trade deficit projected to worsen in coming years.
Over the past decade, English farms have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by 18%, 21% and 13% respectively. However, progress is uneven, with some areas experiencing large reductions while others saw little improvement.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that social pressure is the primary driver behind farmers' willingness to protect their livestock from wolves. Financial support, such as subsidies for electric fences, also encourages farmers to take action. However, guard dogs are not a preferred option.
Insect pollinators like bees and butterflies require more natural habitat with diverse flora to thrive, according to a new study analyzing over 178,000 individual pollinators from 19 countries. The research found minimum habitat requirements vary between species, ranging from 6% for hoverflies to 37% for butterflies.
A new study by the University of Arizona found that heat exposure and toxic metal exposure can increase signs of kidney injury in agricultural workers. The study suggests that providing mandatory breaks, water, electrolyte replacement, and restrooms nearby can help prevent heat-related illnesses and kidney damage.
The Cacao of Excellence Programme has selected the 2025 Best 50 cacaos and their producers from 191 samples representing 45 origins. This recognition puts smallholder farmers on the global stage, providing international visibility and opportunities for quality recognition and market access.
Bionema's innovative bio-based pellets use Loline alkaloids to deliver a safe, sustainable solution for controlling slugs and snails in crops. The project is expected to generate £50 million in the UK and £100 million globally by 2035.
A large-scale survey in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Senegal found that West African farmers can benefit from reliable climate services and financial support. The study charted a path to turn weather reports into a profitable investment for farmers.
Frasky, developed by IIT, combines robotics and AI to address environmental sustainability and labor shortages in agriculture. The robot can navigate autonomously, map its surroundings, and apply selective treatments to grape clusters with precision.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen argue that creating diverse landscapes with various habitats is necessary for biodiversity preservation. Habitat diversity can include arable land, natural areas, and structures like nesting sites, promoting species movement and reduced extinction risk.
Researchers have found that plastic nanoparticles can enter crops during growth, accumulating in edible parts and potentially affecting human health. The study used radishes to demonstrate the uptake of nanoplastics by plants, with nearly 5% of particles retained by the root system.
A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich shows that extremely dwarf wheat has a less favorable gluten composition than semi-dwarf or tall wild-type wheat. This can lead to poorer baking properties. Environmental conditions also play a significant role in shaping gluten composition.
A new study has found that while vertical farms can deliver more than 20 times the yield of field farms and use far less water, their carbon footprint still exceeds traditional farming due to high energy demands. Researchers suggest switching to alternative materials could cut the environmental cost by over 95%.
Researchers are analyzing leaf and soil samples from diverse areas to determine beneficial or harmful roles of different microbes. The study aims to improve crop production practices and overall yield by assessing the health of soil rhizosphere.
A new Cornell University study finds that traditional farm jobs are declining as nations grow wealthier, while employment in the broader food industry remains steady, offering better wages. However, this shift reinforces gender pay inequality, with women often moving into lower-paid service-sector jobs.
The Time2Graze project is developing a decision support system to help farmers in Latin America make better grazing decisions, increase productivity and reduce methane emissions. The tool will assess pasture availability and provide real-time alerts to optimize grazing intensity.
Researchers used multiple agronomic models to examine the effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. The study found positive effects in both studied locations under a baseline scenario, but negative effects in a worst-case scenario.
The third edition of Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests features significant updates and new content, including expanded focus on entomology and emerging diseases. Hundreds of new images enhance identification and diagnosis, making it a comprehensive guide for plant pathologists, agronomists, and growers.
The inaugural AI in Agriculture Symposium will bring together experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest research and real-world applications for agriculture. The symposium will feature a roundtable discussion on multidisciplinary collaborations in agriculture.
A recent study reveals that foliar fungicides can alter the composition of beneficial fungi in corn leaves, highlighting the need to reassess crop management strategies. The research also suggests that sustainable practices promoting beneficial microbes could enhance crop resilience and yield.
A new study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that tropical systems significantly impact crop insurance premium rates in the Mid-South region. The researchers analyzed data from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which are more prone to hurricane damage due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that traditional Himalayan crops like black peas are more ecologically resilient and have higher protein levels compared to commercial crops like green peas. The research highlights the nutritional profile of black peas, which are rich in protein, minerals, and fiber.
A new framework developed by Oxford researchers helps agricultural sectors track and address biodiversity impacts, identifying areas where progress in one area may harm others. The study's safeguards act as checks and balances, ensuring that improvements in one area do not mask problems in another.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
A new project funded by the Weston Family Foundation's Homegrown Innovation Challenge will continue advancing indoor blueberry trials while expanding to include raspberries and blackberries. The goal is to develop compact, high-yield berry varieties and modular growing systems that support Canadian farmers year-round.
A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a low-cost, non-invasive method to estimate total leaf area in dwarf tomato plants. The study applies structure-from-motion techniques and machine learning to predict plant growth with remarkable accuracy, making precision agriculture more accessible.
The system tracks and analyzes crop development using data from sensors, biosensors, the Internet of Things, and AI. Strong security protocols ensure farmer data remains private and resilient against future quantum computer attacks. The research team plans to improve their system with faster sensor processing and a solar-powered battery.
A Japanese study demonstrates that dual-axis sun-tracking agrivoltaic systems can produce competitive solar power while maintaining high-quality rice yields. The system achieved 75-85% rice yield improvements compared to traditional paddies, and generated nearly 44,000 kWh of electricity annually.
New research shows a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since the introduction of new safety standards, but public health experts emphasize the need for continued action to keep Australians safe.
Researchers have mapped the microbiome of agri-food systems, revealing how diverse and balanced microbes keep our food safe, nutritious, and sustainable. The map highlights areas where targeted interventions such as probiotics and biofertilizers can improve food quality and reduce antibiotic use.
Researchers have mapped microbial networks underpinning healthy food systems, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to address climate crisis, antibiotic overuse and pesticide reliance. This work is driving microbiome-based solutions for animal, human and environmental health.
Researchers have developed a new measurement method to accurately quantify allergy-triggering proteins (ATIs) in barley. Analyzing over 180 barley accessions from around the world, they identified ten barley-specific ATI types for the first time, revealing varying content between 1.1 and 5.2 milligrams per gram of flour.