Articles tagged with Maize
Research suggests that selective breeding of maize led to the evolution of root systems more efficient in acquiring nutrients like nitrogen. The study found that newer commercial varieties performed better in every agronomic environment, with characteristics known to increase nitrogen uptake.
Researchers found that maize production creates a perfect storm for plague transmission, with rodents and fleas increasing the risk of human infection. The study highlights the need for caution in expanding agriculture across Africa to prevent similar risks.
Small farmers, often women, are preserving traditional crop varieties and landraces, providing vital resources for their livelihoods. Peri-urban and marginal locations are key areas where this preservation is occurring, with urban markets driving demand for local foodstuffs.
The study provides comprehensive tracking of maize origin in the Southwest, showing it entered via highland route around 4,100 years ago and later via coastal route about 2,000 years ago. Researchers also identified genes responsible for adaptation to drought and changes in starch composition.
Researchers used tree-ring data and computer programs to create a finely scaled map of ideal Southwest growing regions for the past 2,000 years. The study suggests that localized climate change contributed to the depopulation of ancestral Pueblo people in southwest Colorado, with some areas becoming highly suitable for maize agriculture.
Researchers identified 150,000 sequence motifs that could adopt the G4 DNA structure, suggesting a functional role in gene regulation. These elements are strategically placed throughout the chromosomes and may help plants cope with environmental stresses.
The use of insect-resistant maize varieties like Bt hybrids could increase Mexico's maize yields by nearly three times compared to current levels. This technology can effectively control various pests, reducing the environmental impact of chemical insecticides.
Susan R. Wessler, a world-renowned expert in transposable elements, has been awarded the McClintock Prize for her exceptional contributions to plant genome structure, function, and evolution. Her research on plant transposable elements has led to significant findings on the impact of these elements on plant genomes.
A team of scientists has developed a new way to identify genes important for photosynthesis in maize and rice, which can be used for crop improvement. The findings also revealed new pathways and information about how plants fix carbon, helping to prioritize candidate genes for enhancing growth and yield.
Researchers captured a genetic snapshot of maize 10 million years ago and traced how it used copied genes to cope with domestication pressures. These gene copies played a vital role in optimizing photosynthesis in maize leaves.
Researchers have found that modern maize has lost its ability to produce a defense chemical called E-β-caryophyllene, making it vulnerable to insects and pathogens. By introducing a gene from oregano, scientists were able to restore this chemical production, attracting beneficial nematode worms that kill corn rootworm larvae.
Research suggests that Midwest corn and soybean yields could drop by 15-30% over the next half-century due to harsher drought conditions. The study, published in Science, found that corn and soybeans are becoming increasingly sensitive to drought, with yields struggling in dry conditions in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana.
A new study from South Africa reveals that genetically modified maize has a comparable diversity of insects to conventional crops. The research collected over 8,700 arthropod individuals and found no significant differences in abundance or diversity across different functional groups.
A new report by IFPRI and ASARECA suggests that Kenyan farmers may not only survive but thrive in the face of climate change. The study predicts a shift in maize production due to changing weather patterns, offering opportunities for farmers to adapt to new conditions.
A new study reveals how maize plants regulate stem cell activity through a functional interaction between a G protein and an unexpected class of cell-surface receptors. The research, led by Professor David Jackson, provides insights into the CLAVATA signaling pathway and has implications for increasing crop yields.
Research at Princeton University compares agricultural projections from empirical and mechanistic models, finding that empirical models may show greater losses as a result of climate change, while mechanistic models may be overly optimistic. The study highlights the importance of understanding model biases and using both model classes ...
A Michigan State University study reveals that maize trade disruptions could jeopardize food security in nations with limited diversification, such as Mexico, Japan, and South Korea. The study suggests that climate change impacts and non-food uses of maize, like ethanol, could lead to price shocks and supply chain disruptions.
A University of Cincinnati graduate student archaeologist has discovered that the ancient Puebloans relied on a variety of food sources, including purslane, pinyon nut, and juniper berries, in addition to maize. The findings suggest that the Puebloans' subsistence strategies were more complex and sustainable than previously thought.
A study led by Field Museum curator Dr. Jonathan Haas reveals that maize was a primary component of people's diets in coastal Peru around 3000-1800 B.C. The research, published in PNAS, analyzed microscopic evidence found in soil, stone tools, and coprolites from ancient sites.
A new study by Karl Zimmerer and colleagues found that small-scale farmers in Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico can successfully cultivate genetically diverse local crops alongside intensive agriculture. These farms often rely on remittances from migrant communities, which enables them to maintain agrobiodiversity maize.
A team of plant geneticists successfully demonstrated that weakening the FEA2 gene can increase meristem size and lead to more rows and kernels in maize plants. This research has significant implications for increasing yields of essential food crops as the global population is projected to reach 8-9 billion by mid-century.
A team of researchers used advanced soil analysis to uncover evidence of ancient Maya maize production in lowland areas, but also found signs of erosion in steeper soils. This study demonstrates the power of modern soil science in understanding past civilizations' treatment of the land and its impact on food security.
Researchers identified trust as a crucial factor in the success or failure of agbiotech public-private partnerships. The study found that integrity, open communication, and accountability were essential components of trust in these partnerships, while a lack of transparency and poor performance can erode trust.
A 12-year-long study by ICRAF reveals that combining legume trees with maize fields increases yield stability and reduces fertilizer use. This sustainable solution helps farmers cope with droughts and degraded soils, producing consistent and relatively high yields year after year.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that small RNAs play a significant role in regulating growth and mediating hybrid vigor in maize. By analyzing small RNA profiles of hybrids, they discovered that differences arise mainly from distinct siRNAs inherited from each parent.
Researchers found that ancient farmers had a stronger impact on maize evolution than modern breeders. The study analyzed genomic variation in maize, providing critical insights for increasing corn yield to meet growing global demand.
Maize's impressive genetic diversity was comprehensively characterized, revealing over 55 million SNPs across 103 inbred lines. The studies also found that SVs were associated with important agronomic traits and influenced genome size variations.
A comprehensive analysis of the maize genome has been completed, increasing scientists' understanding of differences across related species and individual varieties. The research is expected to speed development of improved corn varieties, which will help optimize yield and disease resistance in changing climates.
The University of California, Riverside has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a low-cost method for detecting biotic stresses in maize crops. This project aims to use a simple, home pregnancy test-like technology to visually alarm farmers to take action against devastating losses.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute discover pod corn's unique trait is caused by a damaged transcription factor controlling glume growth. The mutated gene leads to glumes resembling leaf sheaths and kernels covered in fine membranous husks.
Scientists have identified a promising maize hybrid that can produce ethanol from biomass, potentially reducing the need for fertilizers and creating a more sustainable feedstock. The hybrid combines beneficial traits of tropical and temperate maize, resulting in increased biomass production and ethanol output.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have identified a new maize hybrid that produces ethanol from biomass, potentially offering a more sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The hybrid grows larger and accumulates more stalk sugars than conventional grain hybrids, increasing ethanol output.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.3 million grant to support research aimed at reducing fertilizer usage in maize production. The project, led by Ivan Baxter, will focus on identifying genes controlling the elemental composition of maize and their interaction with soil conditions.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a naturally occurring mutation in corn that eliminates the need for detasseling, a labor-intensive process. The mutation, which affects brassinosteroids, results in plants that produce only female organs, including kernels where male tassels should be.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab introduce a maize gene to switchgrass, doubling starch content and making it easier to extract fermentable sugars. The results offer a promising new approach for improving dedicated bioenergy crops.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified the role of a gene called grassy tillers1 (gt1) in enabling maize plants to grow taller when shaded. This discovery sheds light on the genetic mechanisms behind plant architecture modifications that occurred during domestication.
A $1.2 million NSF grant will support research on gene instability in maize, enabling scientists to make precise genetic modifications and improve crop yields. The project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression in plants.
Researchers have successfully produced synthetic collagen in maize with similar levels of proline hydroxylation to human collagen. This breakthrough enables the production of a protein with human-like modifications, making it suitable for various applications in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, as well as the food industry.
Researchers discovered four genomic regions that control the photoperiod response in maize, with varying effects from different tropical varieties. This study sheds light on the genetic variation controlling day length response, revealing unexpected diversity and potential for improving maize yields.
Scientists have launched a major push against Striga, a parasitic weed causing up to $1.2 billion in damage to maize and cowpea crops in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to introduce proven technologies for fighting the weed, resulting in 50% higher yields for farmers.
James Birchler, a renowned cytogeneticist, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his pioneering work on chromosome structure and function. His innovative techniques have paved the way for introducing disease-resistant and agronomic traits into plants, with significant implications for agriculture and medicine.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a specific gene in corn associated with resistance to three important plant leaf diseases. The glutathione S-transferase gene is linked to modest levels of resistance to Southern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, and Northern leaf blight.
Scientists at Cornell University have identified the genes related to leaf angle in corn, a key trait for closer planting, leading to an eight-fold increase in yield since the early 1900s. The study used a genomewide association study method to analyze genetic variation across the maize genome and predict traits with high accuracy.
Scientists have identified new genes in smut fungi that play a crucial role in infecting maize plants. The study reveals an evolutionary arms race between the plant and parasite, with each side developing new molecules to outsmart the other.
Research in Tanzania found a significant association between fumonisin exposure and stunting/underweight in infants, highlighting the need for food screening. The WHO maximum tolerable daily intake is often exceeded, especially with maize-based complementary foods.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $101.9 million to ASPB member researchers under its Plant Genome Research Program, advancing plant genomics and improving agricultural productivity. The projects will also engage the public in outreach and educational activities.
Scientists at Boyce Thompson Institute have used RNAseq to track gene expression in maize leaves, revealing that entire suites of genes are turned on and off as the leaf develops. The study provides an unprecedented view of the genetic circuitry of the leaf and has significant implications for agriculture and bioenergy.
The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) varieties, developed through a public-private partnership, show promising results with preliminary evidence of 24-35 percent higher yields. The project aims to test transgenic maize in confined field trials to evaluate their potential in drought conditions.
A new study finds that transgenic corn's suppression of the European corn borer has saved $3.2 billion for corn growers in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin over the past 14 years. Non-Bt corn growers also benefited from yield savings without the cost of Bt technology fees.
A new Iowa State University study found that corn bred to contain increased levels of beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A. The discovery validates the promise of biofortified corn being developed as an effective tool to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute have identified a gene controlling the difference in sex pheromone production between two European Corn Borer races, E and Z. The study found that this genetic variation leads to reproductive isolation, potentially marking the beginning of new species evolution.
Researchers have successfully improved nematodes to control the western corn rootworm, a major pest causing $1 billion of damage annually in the US. The nematodes were enhanced to respond more effectively to a volatile signal emitted by infested roots.
A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.
Researchers found that only about 30% of the genes in the corn smut genome are always activated, while the other 70% is tissue-specific, with different parts of the maize plant activating different genes. This discovery could lead to new approaches to fighting disease in plants and humans.
Scientists have made a significant discovery in corn breeding that could lead to higher crop yields, improved disease resistance and heartier plants able to withstand severe weather. By understanding the genetics of photoperiod response, researchers hope to be able to overcome the barrier to using tropical maize for temperate varieties.
Researchers found that increased production of maize-derived ethanol in the US could lead to significant land-use changes, resulting in higher carbon dioxide emissions. The study suggests that these indirect effects may cancel out any benefits from reducing global warming.
Archaeological evidence supports the idea that maize was adopted by Southwestern hunter-gatherers through group-to-group transmission. The researchers' scenario proposes an early (7,000 B.C.) north-to-south movement of Proto-Uto-Aztecan hunter-gatherers, followed by division into northern and southern Uto-Aztecan-speaking groups.
Researchers have identified and grouped the genes responsible for cell wall development in maize, enabling better study of biomass production. The discovery expands their ability to discover ways to produce biomass suitable for biofuels production.
A new gene map has been developed to aid plant breeding efforts in maize, a major source of food and fuel worldwide. The map charts genetic diversity and recombination across the genome of 27 inbred lines, providing insights into complex traits.
Researchers have identified thousands of diverse genes in genetically inaccessible portions of the maize genome using new techniques. This study provides a foundation for uniting breeding efforts across the world and dissecting complex traits through genomewide association studies.