Articles tagged with Maize
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A new study projects variable impacts of climate change on maize and bean harvests in East Africa, presenting both threats and opportunities for farmers. With adequate investment, the region can achieve food security despite predicted declines in staple crop production.
A three-and-a-half-decade analysis of maize research in African farming communities reveals significant benefits, including the adoption of new maize varieties that increase productivity and reduce poverty. The study found that over 1 million people per year have escaped poverty through the adoption of modern maize varieties.
A German study has found that wild pigs and deer do not spread genetically modified (GM) corn through their feces or accumulate transgenic residues in their meat. The researchers fed GM-fed wild boars and fallow deer conventional maize, but found no evidence of germinable seeds in their feces.
Dr. Marina Dermastia and colleagues discovered similarities between maize and teosinte kernel development, overturning previous assumptions about domestication. The team found traits like programmed cell death, sugar flow control, and endoreduplication that are common to both crops, suggesting they evolved independently.
The Faidherbia acacia tree has the potential to revolutionize African farming by providing a free source of organic nitrogen, increasing crop yields, and improving soil health. Its unique growth habit and adaptability to various climates make it an ideal solution for reversing soil degradation and supporting farmers' livelihoods.
Researchers found that numerous small changes in multiple gene regions impact flowering time, reproductive ability, and other complex traits in corn. The study also identified subtle genetic variations influencing reproductive success, paving the way for more accurate predictions and breeding strategies.
Researchers restored a maize root signal that attracts insect-killing nematodes to control the Western corn rootworm, a significant pest in the US. This approach enhances plant resistance and reduces the use of synthetic insecticides.
Researchers warn that African farmers lack access to climatically suitable crop varieties due to neglect of genebanks, threatening food security. Six countries face unique challenges as temperatures rise beyond historical experience, highlighting the need for immediate action to develop new crop varieties.
Researchers found evidence of maize and squash domestication in the Xihuatoxtla Shelter in southwestern Mexico, dating back 9,000 years. The findings contradict previous assumptions that maize domestication occurred in highland areas.
Researchers discovered the earliest dated evidence of domesticated maize, dating back over 8,700 years to Mexico's Central Balsas River Valley. The team found maize starch and phytoliths in grinding tools and lake sediments, confirming that maize was derived from teosinte.
A team of scientists led by Dolores Piperno has discovered the earliest evidence of maize domestication in the New World, dating back to 8,700 years ago. The research confirms that maize originated from a wild plant called teosinte and was first domesticated in tropical southwest Mexico.
A graphical analysis assesses the vulnerability of different US crops to pests, identifying soybean and maize as highly connected, while cotton and wheat are less connected. The study suggests encouraging cropping patterns that disrupt connectivity to minimize pest spread.
A team of plant geneticists has identified a gene called sparse inflorescence1 (spi1) essential in controlling the development of the maize plant's growth hormone auxin synthesis. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of organ formation and development in maize.
Researchers have identified how maize streak virus (MSV) became a serious pest in Africa's most important food crop, potentially saving millions of lives. By comparing MSV genomes to its less harmful relatives, scientists discovered that recombination led to the emergence of a more severe disease strain.
The study reveals social confrontation between GMO proponents and opponents, with difficulties in defining technical measures for coexistence. Organic farmers face uncertainties in measuring contamination levels and potential damages, leading to reduced cultivation areas.
A team of scientists has used paleobotanical evidence, genetic analysis, and microbotanical techniques to reconstruct the early history of maize agriculture. They suggest that maize may have been domesticated in Mexico around 10,000 years ago, based on findings from sediments at San Andrés, Tabasco.
Paramutations, a process where one copy of a gene can alter the expression of another, have been found in plants and may be important for introducing changes under environmental stress. Researchers studying paramutations in maize identified genes and mechanisms involved in this epigenetic process.
The study reveals that three RAMOSA genes (RA1-3) control maize inflorescence branching, leading to changes in grain yield. The genes regulate the architecture of maize ears through a complex network, influencing plant development and adaptation.
Scientists are sequencing ancient maize landraces to recapture the full genetic diversity of this complex crop. The Palomero genome is about 22% smaller than B73, revealing a large pool of unexplored genetic diversity.
Scientists have unraveled plant architecture at the molecular level using genomic data, shedding light on flower and grain development in maize. They characterized key gene networks and biochemical pathways, providing insights into plant construction and evolutionary conservation.
Tejate, a traditional Maize and Cacao Beverage from Oaxaca, Mexico, holds the key to understanding the future of agriculture and food variety. The authors found that tejate is in decline in modern communities but remains associated with traditional farmers' varieties, which are essential for preserving crop diversity.
Researchers have discovered evidence of maize consumption in tropical Ecuador dating back over 5,000 years. The findings suggest that corn was a vital food crop for villages in the region, contradicting previous theories that it was only used for ritual purposes.
A team of scientists has developed an economical approach to breeding maize with higher provitamin A levels, which can combat vitamin A deficiency. By identifying a naturally mutated enzyme, they can now inexpensively screen different varieties and breed those that contain it.
A $13 million AGRA grant establishes agro-dealer networks in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania to provide rural farmers with affordable farm supplies, training, and financing. This initiative aims to increase smallholder incomes by 30%, reduce travel distances, and decrease input prices.
Researchers create artificial plant chromosomes from small rings of naturally occurring plant DNA, allowing for the introduction of multiple genes at once. The technology enables more consistent and controlled expression, potentially increasing agricultural productivity and improving biofuel production.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that tropical maize can produce up to 25% sugar in its stalks, making it a promising alternative to corn for biofuel production. This could result in significant energy savings per acre and reduced nitrogen fertilizer costs.
Researchers developed a new maize model that simulates kernel formation, increasing accuracy of crop yield predictions. By accounting for pollen movement and other factors, the modified CERES-Maize model provides more accurate estimates across various environmental conditions.
A study by Cristina Faria and colleagues found that transgenic Bt maize lines are more susceptible to the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis than conventional maize. However, this increased susceptibility may be beneficial in regions where aphids are a major problem, as they can aid in controlling caterpillars.
A genetically modified maize variety resistant to the severe maize streak virus has been created using pathogen-derived resistance, delaying symptom development and increasing survival rates. The research aims to alleviate Africa's food shortages and famine by providing a disease-resistant crop for local farmers.
A fast and inexpensive test kit has been developed to detect aflatoxin in crops, enabling African farmers to manage the costly naturally occurring poison. The test has improved food safety and increased agricultural exports, particularly for groundnuts.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
Scientists at the University of Cape Town have developed a genetically engineered (GE) maize variety that is resistant to maize streak virus (MSV), a destructive pathogen that can wipe out entire maize crops. The transgenic maize variety has proven consistently resistant and can be reliably passed on to future generations.
New evidence from Mexico's Central Balsas valley links crop domestication in the New World to local environmental history. Agriculture originated during a warm, wet period following the last ice age, and its effects on the environment are still evident today.
Researchers have discovered a way to create engineered minichromosomes in maize and attach genes to those minichromosomes. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for developing crops with multiple resistance traits, as well as producing medically useful proteins and metabolites.
Ancient farmers in Mexico cultivated early forms of maize around 5,300 B.C., 1,200 years earlier than previously thought. This finding expands knowledge on the transition to agriculture in Mesoamerica and sheds light on the rise of complex societies.
Ancient people in Panama processed domesticated plants like maize, manioc, and arrowroot at least 7,800 years ago, revealing an earlier practice of farming than previously thought. This discovery confirms the importance of starch grain analysis as a method for studying human subsistence practices in tropical forests.
Researchers have traced the earliest known evidence for chili pepper domestication to sites in Ecuador dating back 6,100 years. The analysis of starch microfossils reveals that common varieties of chili peppers were widely used in a region extending from the Bahamas to southern Peru.
A new research program will accelerate its work to improve African farmers' livelihoods with enhanced, drought-tolerant maize varieties. The initiative aims to reduce the impact of unpredictable rainfall and recurring drought on maize harvests, giving farmers a 25-30% yield boost.
Research reveals two isoforms of glutamine synthetase determine major yield components in maize: kernel size and number. Nitrogen retranslocation dominates grain filling, improving nitrogen use efficiency and yields with reduced fertilizer inputs.
An international team of researchers has identified genes in Ustilago maydis that help the fungus live at its host plant's expense without killing it. The findings could lead to new ways to combat this fungus, which affects maize and other crops worldwide.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate transposable elements in maize, which are believed to contribute significantly to gene and genome evolution. The project aims to create an annotated database that will aid future research on this crop plant.
Researchers discovered evidence of ancient Amazonian crops, including arrowroot and maize, at the Waynuna site in southern Peru. The findings push back the date of maize cultivation by ~1000 years, revealing a complex exchange network between Amazonian and Andean cultures.
Scientists have identified a key gene, ramosa2, that regulates inflorescence architecture in maize and other grasses. The ra2 gene's expression pattern is conserved across multiple species, suggesting its critical role in shaping the initial steps of inflorescence development.
The project aims to sequence the maize genome to understand more about plant genomes and evolve cereal genomes. Scientists will sequence a maize cultivar called B73, with the goal of identifying new genes responsible for important traits like yield and drought tolerance.
A two-year study by researchers from Ohio State University and Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Ecologia found no evidence of genetically modified maize in southern Mexico. The study analyzed over 153,000 seeds from 870 maize plants in Oaxaca and found no transgenic material.
The study found that freshwater mussel populations declined gradually between 5000 and 1000 years ago, but accelerated after large-scale maize cultivation started. This suggests human activities like land clearing have measurable effects on aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers will generate 10,000 lines of maize with disrupted genes to study their effects on plant systems and develop plants with enhanced properties for agriculture and industry.
Biologists at UCSD identified a gene regulating plant branching, which they believe was crucial in transforming teosinte into maize. The researchers found numerous variants of the gene in teosinte but only one variant in modern maize, suggesting targeted human selection may have played a key role.
Scientists have discovered a defense mechanism in certain plant species that were believed to be bred out of existence due to human selection. The study found that a specific enzyme and protein complex work together to defend against insect attacks, but their activity is suppressed in plants bred for desirable traits.
The study reveals a highly complex maize genome with approximately 59,000 genes, twice as many as the human genome. This complexity is due to positional instability and genetic history, allowing maize genes to move around the genome in a way not seen in other species.
The National Science Foundation has awarded 22 new projects for plant genome research, exploring the role of genetics in plant development, metal tolerance, and disease susceptibility. These projects will also develop genomic tools for crops such as loblolly pine and cotton.
Corn's genetic origins have been revised after a study found it arose from a serendipitously viable cross between teosinte and gamagrass. Eubanks' research confirms teosinte was an ancestor of corn, with gamagrass contributing key genes.
The Maize Genomics Consortium developed a cost-effective approach to sequence the maize genome, reducing its effective size by six-fold. The method uses methyl-filtration and high-Cot selection, targeting overlapping fractions of the genome enriched for genes.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective alternative to sequencing the entire genomes of complex plants by combining two gene-enrichment techniques. The new method provides about a four-fold reduction in sequencing necessary to find all maize genes, highlighting its potential for analyzing large and complex plant genomes.
Researchers identified 'dominance complementation' as a key factor in hybrid vigor, revealing that hybrids benefit from genes and regulatory factors beyond simple parent combinations. This discovery could lead to stronger, healthier, or more productive corn strains.
Rutgers University has been awarded $4.3 million by the NSF for the Maize Genome Sequencing Project, which aims to sequence the maize genome and understand its complex genetic structure. The project has the potential to improve crop yields and develop new approaches to genomic studies.
The study found limited genetic diversity in maize's starch pathway, making it harder to increase yields. To address this, researchers suggest incorporating genes from teosinte or using transgenics as alternative methods for improving crop diversity and productivity.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a $10.2 million project to sequence the maize genome, which is estimated to be 20 times larger than Arabidopsis. The project aims to develop tools for large-scale sequencing and improve genome mapping techniques.
A Cornell University study reveals that refugees who are desperate for salt, soap, and other essential supplies are more likely to sell or barter food. The poorest families were twice as likely to engage in these practices due to their limited access to nutritious food.