Articles tagged with Farming
A new study in Viruses journal reveals significant viral diversity in bats and pig farms in Viet Nam, highlighting the risks of CoV spillover. The research calls for increased surveillance and One Health action to prevent pandemic emergence.
Researchers found that agricultural antimicrobial peptide use can generate broad cross-resistance to the human innate immune response. This has major implications for the design and use of therapeutic antimicrobial peptides.
Most smallholder farmers in Uganda surveyed believe they can reduce damage caused by the fall armyworm using various management and control options. They predominantly use chemical control methods, including regular weeding and handpicking, with some farmers also employing biological extracts to combat the pest.
A new University of Illinois study suggests that widespread planting of cereal rye could significantly reduce nitrate levels in Illinois' tile drainage water. The research found that adopting winter cover crops, such as cereal rye, can help minimize nitrogen loss and improve water quality.
A new study reveals that Indian farmers have adapted to climate change by changing management practices and using hardier crop varieties. However, the impact of climate change on crop yields varies across crops and regions, with some areas experiencing greater benefits than others.
ASU researchers have developed a method to regenerate biocrusts on arid lands by harnessing the power of solar farms. The approach, dubbed 'crustivoltaics,' has shown promising results in doubling biocrust biomass and tripling biocrust cover under photovoltaic panels.
Research suggests that agritourism and direct farm sales complement each other in the same community, increasing revenue for farmers. The study identified hotspots of farms engaging in these activities in various regions, including the Northeast, West, and Great Lakes areas.
A study found that some of the world's largest slaughterhouses reduced cattle-driven deforestation in the Amazon by 15% through their zero-deforestation policies. If fully implemented, these policies could halve cattle-driven deforestation in Brazil by sparing over 24,000km2 of forest.
The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been awarded a $9.9 million grant by the Bezos Earth Fund to develop low-cost virtual fencing technology that can benefit farmers, animals, and the environment. The project aims to improve existing virtual fencing technology and combine it with animal-monitoring system...
Researchers propose a 'state space' approach to reframe farming planning questions, enabling analytics and machine learning to explore optimal crop combinations and simulate different scenarios. This framework allows farmers to design diverse agricultural landscapes based on natural ecosystems, increasing crop yield and sustainability.
Purdue University has received two grants of $1 million each from the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop more resilient food systems. The grants will support research, education, and extension efforts aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural systems in Eastern U.S. forests and Midwes...
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis suggest that ancient humans may have chosen certain wild plants for domestication based on their ability to be easily 'tamed'. Plants with high plasticity, or the capacity to respond to environmental changes, can produce more yields and easier-to-sprout seeds.
A new pesticide exposure test has been developed to help protect the health and safety of agricultural workers, particularly those in the emerging cannabis industry. The test uses a bio solid-phase microextraction method that can detect ultra-trace levels of pesticide residues in human blood plasma.
Researchers found that weekly and Saturday slaughter capacity utilization interact with live cattle-to-box beef spread, but not in a way that packers control prices. The study suggests Saturday slaughter may be a strategy to increase processing when prices are rising.
Researchers found a 40% reduction in ammonia emissions and a two-thirds decrease in methane emissions by acidifying slurry with sulfuric acid. The method also improves fertilization and could be optimized to achieve even higher reductions.
Researchers found that seed systems are often disrupted by conflict, social inequality, and poor policies. Emerging initiatives like participatory plant breeding help farmers secure food supplies by developing crop varieties tailored to their needs.
Researchers teamed with Ethiopian farmers to develop new wheat varieties using genomic analysis. Farmers' knowledge played a crucial role in predicting crop yields and selecting optimal traits. The project aims to preserve agrobiodiversity and promote cultural heritage.
Researchers suggest that biochar produced from straw pyrolysis can significantly reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from Chinese staple crops. The addition of an integrated energy system also produces biogas and bio-oil, which can replace fossil fuels and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics found that home gardens can increase annual home-produced food by nearly 90% and monthly per adult equivalent incomes by 37%. These interventions also reduced poverty rates and improved nutrition among rural farming communities in Odisha, India.
The National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program has successfully collected herd production data for 100 years, providing crucial input for cattle breeding and genetics. The program's cooperative structure, data interoperability, and governance model make it a unique example of how data collection benefits producers.
A North Carolina State University study found that cover crop adoption can reduce crop insurance losses due to prevented planting in the US Midwest. Longer term use of cover crops also leads to larger reductions in prevented-planting risk, with a 1% increase translating to nearly $40 million in reduced indemnities.
A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.
A new scoring system assesses pig welfare through a range of measurements, including health problems and environmental interactions. The system enables comparison across different types of pig farming and informs decisions about farm sustainability.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that local enforcement of manure management regulations can effectively reduce nutrient concentrations in rivers and lakes. The study focuses on Wisconsin's unique approach, which allows counties to participate in enforcement without state approval.
Researchers at Waseda University developed a four-wheeled robot capable of sowing, pruning, and harvesting in dense vegetation, improving efficiency by 49% compared to manual control. The robot's advanced maneuvering system reduces damage to plants and increases farming productivity in various environments.
A recent study led by Boston University researchers found that payments designed to motivate eco-friendly behavior often don't reconcile the tension between agricultural production and the planet's health. However, including more women in decision-making boosted cooperation between farmers on environmental issues and increased output.
Millions of people living in river deltas face risk due to human activities such as damming and levee construction. Climate change is just one part of the story; local resource management can have a greater impact on delta sustainability.
Bald eagles in northwestern Washington state have become a boon to dairy farmers due to climate change, deterring pests and removing animal carcasses. The shift in salmon spawning schedule has reduced available carcasses on rivers, forcing eagles to seek alternative food sources from dairy farm by-products.
A recent study reveals that climate change has led to an increase in Bald Eagle populations, which are now forming a relationship with dairy farmers in northwestern Washington State. In exchange for the eagles' services such as carcass removal and pest-deterrence, dairy farmers reap benefits from the eagles' presence.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan found that Chinese farmers use online marketing to connect with consumers, an approach not widely adopted in BC. The study suggests that targeted education, research, and public investments can improve the resilience of agricultural climate adaptation in both countries.
Wheat yields decline by 4% due to extreme heat and drought, with regions like Russia and China experiencing greater losses. Maize yields also drop by 3%, with North America and Eastern Europe seeing more severe reductions.
Guinea grass, an invasive species in Texas, uses a combination of crowding and chemical toxins to suppress native plants. The researchers found that the toxicity of guinea grass increases dramatically when its shading effect is combined with its chemical warfare, making it harder for native plants to survive.
A study in Brazil found that agricultural certification can encourage compliance with environmental laws, but doesn't necessarily reduce deforestation or increase natural regeneration. Certified coffee farms showed a general tendency for increased compliance, particularly in protected areas like the Atlantic Rainforest.
A team of researchers from Pusan National University evaluated the efficacy of calcite and phosphogypsum in reducing arsenate ions' availability for crops. Phosphogypsum was found to be more effective in immobilizing arsenic in soil due to a substitution mechanism involving sulfate and hydrogen arsenate ions.
Research at Cornell University found that co-locating solar panels with commercial agriculture can improve power conversion efficiency and solar-panel longevity. Agrivoltaic systems offer increased passive cooling through taller panel heights, more reflective ground cover, and higher evapotranspiration rates.
Researchers have developed a robotic system called AngleNet that measures leaf angles on corn plants, providing plant breeders with accurate data more quickly. The technology uses stereo vision and deep convolutional neural networks to capture images of leaves at different heights, enabling 3D modeling and precise measurements.
A $5 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supports a Climate-Smart Sustainability Certificate program for small-scale farmers. The program aims to improve crop production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon removal.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
The University of Missouri will receive a $10 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to double cover crop seed production in the US by 2030. The project aims to educate farmers about new varieties of cover crops, examine their performance with root growth, and distribute them nationwide.
A warmer climate is causing bumblebee queens to emerge earlier, potentially disrupting the timing of plant-pollinator interactions. This can lead to reduced biodiversity and lower pollination rates, as some species may not have enough food during their flight period.
Research reveals a clear link between tropical forest loss and reduced rainfall, with potential consequences for agriculture, hydropower plants, and local communities. The study estimates that continued deforestation in the Congo could lead to a 8-12% reduction in rainfall by the end of the century.
Researchers at Aarhus University have found an enzyme, C-P lyase, in E. coli bacteria that can degrade highly stable chemicals, including pesticides like RoundUp. The enzyme uses energy from ATP to open and close a 'nutcracker' mechanism that traps and breaks down troublesome chemicals.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.
A North Carolina State University study shows that yam seeds wrapped in a biodegradable paper made from banana fibers and cardboard grow larger and more abundantly than those without the paper. The 'wrap-and-plant' method also reduces post-harvest loss by minimizing nematode pest effects.
Scientists have created a non-destructive method to detect and differentiate gibberellins, a class of plant hormones crucial for growth. The new nanosensors can identify changes in GA levels across various plant species, enabling early interventions against salinity stress.
George Mason University researchers are developing a digital twin system to provide farmers with real-time data on crop conditions, soil, weather, and markets. The CropSmart Digital Twin (CSDT) aims to support the USDA's goal of increasing U.S. agricultural production by 40% while reducing its environmental footprint by half by 2050.
Kennesaw State University professor Thomas Rotnem has received a National Science Foundation grant to study the impact of climate change on farming and communities in Iceland and Greenland. Over two decades, farmers have experienced longer growing seasons with less precipitation, affecting their livelihoods.
A new study from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that community gardens and urban farms support incredibly high levels of plant and animal biodiversity. These gardens also provide numerous ecosystem services, including pollination, carbon sequestration, and food production, while increasing human well-being.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water usage in agriculture. The MOF-based sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for water even in the presence of metal ions, enabling precise irrigation management.
Carbon emissions from fertilizers could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge. The study found that two-thirds of emissions occur after application, highlighting the need for efficient fertilizer use and innovative solutions to mitigate emissions.
Researchers found a significant gap between when private wells were sampled and when they were likely to become contaminated, with higher levels of bacteria detected in summer months. The study has implications for national and global water sources, highlighting the need for more guidance on seasonal timing for testing.
A new webcast from the American Phytopathological Society provides insights into soil biophysical properties and nitrogen application rates in predicting cotton yield and quality. The study suggests including soil biophysical information in making N recommendations to maximize profits and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers developed new spiro-pyrazolo quinazoline derivatives with reduced bee toxicity without compromising insecticidal activity. The compounds showed promising results, including one compound with an LD50 value three to four orders of magnitude lower than fipronil.
A new study by the University of Göttingen found that alley-cropping agroforestry significantly improves ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration, habitat creation, and soil protection. In contrast, open grassland systems did not show significant changes in ecosystem function after conversion to agroforestry.
A global survey of large carnivore attacks found that attacks in high-income countries occurred mostly during recreation, while those in low-income countries were linked to livelihood activities. The study also highlighted the importance of tailored approaches to prevent such attacks.
A Cambridge-led consortium has received $35m to engineer plants to utilize naturally occurring micro-organism interactions, enhancing nutrient uptake and increasing crop yields. This approach aims to revolutionize smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a sustainable solution for food production.
Anu, a Purdue University startup, received a $970,993 NSF SBIR grant to further develop its innovative Rotary Aeroponic Cultivation Chamber. The technology aims to increase yields while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact through multispectral photomorphogenesis and deep-learning algorithms.
Expanding seaweed farming could reduce demand for terrestrial crops and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 billion tonnes per year. The study identified millions of available hectares of ocean suitable for farming, with the Indonesian EEZ showing great potential.
A new CABI-led study found that targeting women in communication about the biocontrol method improved its uptake among farming households. However, the use of Trichogramma increased women's labor demands and limited their decision-making role on income from tomato production.
Researchers identified hundreds of microorganisms associated with plant roots and soil, showing potential for developing biological substitutes for phosphorus-based fertilizers. The discovery highlights the importance of microbial communities in supplying essential nutrients like nitrogen.