Articles tagged with Farming
Researchers discovered salicylic acid plays a central role in protecting potato roots from Spongospora subterranea, a soilborne pathogen causing powdery scab. The study used a cutting-edge 'hairy root' system to rapidly test root-pathogen interactions, providing vital insights for developing resistant potato varieties.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered that soybeans employ differential transpiration as a natural defense strategy to cool reproductive tissues under extreme weather conditions. This adaptation allows plants to save significant amounts of water while protecting their flowers and seed pods.
Farms' economic resilience relies on a balance between stability and flexibility, with factors like payments and land ownership affecting stability and ecological conversion improving flexibility. This balance is crucial for farms to cope with external shocks and maintain production over time.
Afro-descendant peoples in four Amazon countries show remarkable achievements in environmental stewardship, according to new research. Their lands significantly exceeded the norm for conservation value, with 56% being top 5% globally for biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered biological triggers of oil production in oats, which will help processing and drive demand for Australian-grown oats. The study identified key enzymes involved in oil synthesis, which could be genetically manipulated to lower oil content.
A fungal pathogen is causing cassava witches' broom disease to spread rapidly in Brazil and French Guiana, impacting food security and livelihoods. Researchers are racing against time to understand the extent of the threat and find a way to treat or prevent the disease.
A University of Illinois study investigates biologicals and biostimulants, live microbial inoculants and non-living chemicals applied to soil, seeds, and plants to improve growth. The researchers call for clarifying the terminology to properly regulate these products.
Agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso's research at Michigan State University provides a dynamic baseline approach to measure climate benefits in agricultural carbon markets. The study evaluates both soil organic carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions, offering a comprehensive assessment of net climate impact.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
A recent study reveals that discarded plastic materials are a significant hazard to young birds, causing entanglements that lead to deaths. The study found that soft plastics and synthetic ropes were the most prevalent materials in bird nests, with baler twine accounting for 63% of entanglements.
Research suggests that nine commonly used pesticides in viticulture have significantly underestimated environmental impact, with half-lives exceeding two days and potential for long-range transport.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Preliminary research suggests that climate change can lead to a reduction in nutritional quality in food crops, with potential devastating consequences for human health. The study found that elevated CO2 levels and hotter temperatures can exacerbate this decline, particularly affecting essential proteins, minerals, and antioxidants.
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
Researchers developed an AI-powered microscope system to measure soil fungi presence and quantity, providing insights into soil health and fertility. The low-cost optical microscopy with machine learning technology can be used by farmers and land managers worldwide.
A new study by the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research found that villages within forest-dominated landscapes exhibit higher biodiversity compared to agricultural settings. City proximity boosts human well-being, but has little impact on species numbers and diversity.
A review article highlights the prevalence of aflatoxins in livestock feed and their residues in food products in Pakistan. The study emphasizes the urgent need for aflatoxin control strategies to mitigate adverse health effects on both livestock and human health, including genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and carcinogenicity.
A comprehensive report cataloging the most widespread and damaging drought events since 2023 reveals food, water, energy crises and human tragedies. The 'Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025' report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of drought's impacts on lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
Researchers found that a single synonymous mutation in a gene drives cucumber elongation by altering RNA structure and function. This breakthrough has significant implications for crop breeding programs and may lead to the development of precision-crop improvement techniques.
Agroecological methods improve biodiversity, pollination, natural pest control, and crop yields, but new subsidies are needed to support farms' transition. The study found that incorporating nature-friendly practices increases benefits for nature and farmers, with higher soil carbon and overall increased crop yields.
A new study finds that Salmonella Dublin causes increased calf mortality, lower milk yield, and higher medication costs in dairy farms. The disease leads to hidden financial losses due to gradual infection without visible symptoms.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found ants can be used to detect the presence of spotted lanternflies, a serious threat to crops and ecosystems. The method, called antDNA, uses environmental DNA testing to identify tiny traces of DNA in honeydew produced by the insect.
A collaboration between Aston University and RAD Global developed pioneering cold storage boxes to keep food fresh without grid electricity. The RADiCool system extends the safe selling window for fish from 12 to 24 hours, reducing waste and improving livelihoods.
A new study reveals how nanoparticles can interfere with photosynthesis in plants, reducing their ability to convert sunlight into food. The research team found that nanoparticles undergo changes in pH and pick up lipid coatings from plant membranes, boosting their binding to RuBisCO and impairing its function.
The study develops a stochastic dynamic programming model that accounts for cumulative effects of cover crops on soil fertility, uncertain future prices, and irreversibility of sunk machinery costs. The findings suggest a threshold level of soil fertility above which it is optimal to adopt cover crops, favoring no-till practices.
A new study from the University of California, Riverside shows that sealing manure ponds at a Central Valley farm can dramatically reduce atmospheric methane emissions. The researchers found that this method can achieve an 80% reduction in emissions, comparable to California state officials' climate planning estimates.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that large-scale solar farms have a complex impact on nearby property values. Agricultural land within two miles of the site saw a 19.4% increase in value, while residential homes lost an average of 4.8%. The negative impact was more pronounced in counties with conservative leanings.
The article discusses how emerging contaminants like agricultural pesticides and medicines are impacting water quality in developing countries. The presence of these pollutants is linked to toxic effects on humans and ecosystems, with many being undetected or under-regulated.
Researchers develop a method using convolutional networks to automatically identify traditional, intensive, and super-intensive olive grove types from Sentinel-2 satellite images. The algorithm achieved an accuracy of 80% and offers a more efficient and precise alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at Colorado State University have demonstrated the reversal of embolism in a type of wild grass, which can recover from extended drought within 24 hours. This finding has significant implications for improving agricultural productivity and food security, as it could potentially be bred into crops to make them more resilient...
A new study finds that California's Central Valley is a major contributor to human-caused dust events, with 77% of fallowed land in the region associated with 88% of major dust events. The study highlights the need for mitigation efforts to reduce wind erosion and improve soil health.
A new study from Colorado State University reveals that photovoltaic (PV) arrays in grasslands can improve soil moisture levels and increase plant growth, particularly during dry years. The research found a 90% increase in grass production on the east side of panels compared to neighboring open sites.
Gene editing technologies could enable climate-resilient crops, higher yields, and reduced fertilizers and pesticides. Researchers advocate allowing gene editing in organic farming to support the EU's goal of 25% organic agriculture by 2030.
Researchers found cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) infecting plants in southern US states as early as 2006, contradicting the assumption that it emerged more recently. The study used modern data-mining tools to uncover hidden threats and highlights the importance of maintaining accessible databases for disease surveillance.
Scientists have discovered a way to adapt food crops to Earth's changing climate using plant genebanks, which store millions of genetically diverse plants. This innovative approach combines DNA data with climate information to predict the best crops for future conditions.
Large-scale solar arrays will occupy approximately 0.2 percent of agricultural land in Arkansas, with projected impacts on crop prices and proximal real estate value. Researchers found that utility-scale solar projects can coexist with agriculture through integrated systems like agrivoltaics.
A new digital tool provides free satellite monitoring and analysis of vegetation and crop health across Kansas and the nation. The Sentinel GreenReport Plus combines satellite imagery with climate datasets to provide users with insights into vegetation greenness, changes in land cover over time, and climate abnormalities.
The SHOWCASE project has published four practice abstracts on the EU CAP Network platform, providing practical insights for farmers and policymakers. The findings highlight the importance of well-designed incentives, farmer behavior, and bridging the science-policy gap to promote biodiversity integration in European agriculture.
A new study suggests that urban agriculture alone can only feed about one fifth of a city's population, but combining it with near-urban farming can ensure food security for the entire city. Peas are found to be the best crop for maximizing protein and calories while minimizing land requirements in normal climate scenarios.
A new global model, DYNAMO-M, projects how 13 million farmers may respond to coastal flooding and salt intrusion due to sea level rise. The model simulates real human choices, such as adapting with salt-tolerant crops or migrating inland, to help communities stay and thrive despite the rising tides.
A new study by University College London researchers suggests that intensifying existing farmland can degrade local biodiversity more than expanding agricultural land, depending on factors like region and crop type. The study highlights the need for sustainable intensification techniques to mitigate the impact of farming on the environ...
New York dairy farms achieve low greenhouse gas emissions by producing high-quality crops and managing manure efficiently. The study provides a regional baseline for dairy farm emissions, offering opportunities for farmers to reduce emissions and increase productivity through sustainable practices.
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance wheat plants' sugar signalling ability, increasing yields by up to 12%. The new technology uses a Trehalose 6-phosphate pre-signalling molecule to activate the pathway for starch synthesis, leading to increased photosynthesis and grain filling.
Researchers develop mathematical modeling to predict aflatoxin outbreaks in Texas using remote sensing satellites and soil properties. The model has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars in losses by providing early risk prediction and targeted prevention strategies.
A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics found that planting flower strips in apple orchards can reduce damage from pests by up to 32% and save farmers money. The research, conducted by the University of Reading, found that farmers could save up to £2,997 per hectare in years with high pest activity.
A new study from the University of Florida assembles the genome of a blackberry, which could lead to significant improvements in breeding techniques for farmers and consumers alike. The research uncovers the secrets behind key traits like growing blackberry plants with no thorns and enhancing the production of anthocyanin production.
A long-term shift towards drier conditions is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods globally, affecting 40% of Earth's land and 2.3 billion people. The research highlights solutions to adapt to a future where water is no longer guaranteed, including smarter irrigation strategies, data analytics, and restoring degraded land.
Researchers found that using rice malt instead of milled rice in beer brewing can decrease production costs by 2-12%. Malted rice also requires less crop-growing acreage, making it a viable alternative for craft brewers. The study suggests that malting could open up new markets for Arkansas rice and ensure its long-run sustainability.
The CDC has awarded a $3 million grant to the Texas A&M School of Public Health to investigate avian flu among dairy farm workers in Texas. The team, led by Dr. David Douphrate, aims to identify the scope of exposure and workplace factors involved in transmission.
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
A study by TUMCREATE and TUM reveals CEA can produce safe food year-round, complementing traditional farming and enhancing food security in drought-prone areas. By controlling growth conditions, CEA minimizes environmental impact while increasing productivity for multiple food sources.
The World Cocoa Foundation and Alliance of Bioversity International assessed the accuracy of key maps for deforestation, tree planting, and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring. The study found that open access global maps are not accurate enough for cocoa analyses in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an autonomous driving algorithm for robots to navigate raised cultivation beds, utilizing lidar point cloud data. The system enables precise movement and accuracy in both virtual and actual environments, promising to expand tasks beyond harvesting to monitoring and pruning.
A new study led by Amy Bogaard found that high wealth inequality emerged in regions with land-intensive farming systems, where a small number of households controlled productive land. In contrast, societies with more equitable governance practices avoided extreme wealth inequality.
A new study led by Washington State University archaeologist Tim Kohler challenges traditional views that disparities in wealth emerged suddenly with large civilizations. The research found that wealth inequality started to increase roughly 1,500 years after the advent of agriculture, driven by population growth and competition for land.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland explores the role of intuition in regenerative farmers' decision-making processes. Farmers perceive intuition as a reliable and future-oriented 'personal assistant', leading to better outcomes in farming practices.
A new report reveals that Indonesia's small farmers can increase productivity and market access through technology-driven innovations. The report outlines ten best practices for agritech startups and wider ecosystems to enable and shape the country's rural startup ecosystem.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A UMaine study compares two scallop farming methods to determine which approach yields the best results. Ear-hanging culture was found to have slightly larger shell heights and up to 12% more adductor muscle weight, a key factor in market value. The research provides new insights for commercial growers aiming to maximize profitability.
Callie Robinson, a junior at the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture, has won the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers 2025 Collegiate Discussion Meet. Her victory marks the second consecutive year a Herbert student has achieved this recognition.