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Tariffs lead to creative supply chains

A Michigan State University team applied metacoupling to analyze socioeconomic and environmental interactions in global soybean trade. The results show that Chinese demand for foreign soybeans affects not only Brazil but also neighboring countries like Paraguay and Argentina.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalSustainability·DateAug 6, 2019

Worm pheromones protect major crops

Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute discovered that ascaroside compounds from nematodes can protect rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans from numerous pathogens. The compounds helped increase resistance against bacterial, fungal, viral, and oomycete pathogens in major crops.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalJournal of Phytopathology·DateJul 25, 2019

Keeping SDGs from being a zero-sum game

Scientists at AAAS Annual Meeting explore ways to address unintended consequences of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers discuss strategies for reducing tradeoffs between human well-being, nature conservation, and resource management.

New conservation practice could reduce nitrogen pollution in agricultural drainage water

Researchers estimate that saturated buffers, vegetated strips of land between tile-drained fields and waterways, could reduce agricultural drainage nitrogen by 5 to 10 percent. This approach is inexpensive and can be easily integrated with farming practices.

Long-term study shows crop rotation decreases greenhouse gas emissions

Crop rotation has been shown to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35% compared to continuous corn or soybean. Rotating crops also increases yield benefits of over 20%, with tillage not affecting emissions. The study highlights the importance of crop diversification and soil management in reducing environmental impact.

Importing food damages domestic environment

A new study by Michigan State University researchers shows that importing food can damage the environment at home. The study found that shifting from sustainable crops like soybeans to water and nutrient-intensive crops like corn increases nitrogen pollution in importing countries.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

The 'bread basket' of the tropics? Study explores tropical grain production

In Mato Grosso, Brazil, researchers found that large-scale farms produce high yields of soybean and maize using succession farming, also known as safrinha. The study shows that while technology adoption rates are low, successive cropping systems improve productivity without relying on high-tech solutions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Agricultural Management·DateApr 17, 2018

Satellites, supercomputers, and machine learning provide real-time crop type data

A new technique uses satellite data and machine learning to distinguish between corn and soybean fields in Illinois, providing accurate crop type data every two months. The researchers used Landsat satellites and a deep neural network to analyze the data, showing promise for future innovations in agricultural applications.

Ragweed casts shade on soy production

Scientists found that common ragweed can drastically reduce soybean yield by 76% in some cases, highlighting its potential threat to soybean production. The study suggests that early detection of weed growth is crucial to predict crop yield losses and inform pesticide application decisions.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMar 28, 2018

High yield, protein with soybean gene

Researchers have successfully bred soybeans with both high yields and high protein levels, addressing a long-standing challenge in plant breeding. The genetic findings suggest that a specific gene on chromosome 15 can increase protein concentration without significantly decreasing yields.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateNov 22, 2017

Adding commercial soy in developing countries brings unique challenges

Growing commercial soybean in developing countries requires changes to traditional agricultural practices, including weed and pest control, soil correction, and access to certified seed supply chains. This shift can lead to poverty reduction, nutrition improvement, and rural economic development, but also a tradeoff of higher chemical ...

New and novel technologies successfully demonstrated in soilborne disease study

Researchers have successfully developed a new method to analyze soil microbial communities and their role in the development of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) disease in soybean. By profiling microbes, scientists found significant differences between healthy and diseased areas, suggesting that biological factors play a key role in determi...

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytobiomes Journal·DateJul 31, 2017

Nutritional value of soybean meal varies among sources from different countries

Research from the University of Illinois found that soybean meal produced in different countries has varying levels of digestible protein and amino acids. The study suggests that US, Indian, and Brazilian soybean meals have higher concentrations of these nutrients compared to Argentine and Chinese alternatives.

Unusual soybean coloration sheds a light on gene silencing

Researchers found that yellow soybeans result from naturally occurring gene silencing involving two genes, which blocks production of darker pigment's precursors. The study also identified the Argonaute5 gene responsible for saddle-patterned beans, shedding light on epistatic interactions in soybean genetics.

Modified soybeans yield more in future climate conditions

Researchers have engineered soybeans to withstand increased temperature and carbon dioxide levels, resulting in higher yields in future climate conditions. The modified crops outperformed conventional soybeans in field studies conducted at SoyFACE, a facility emulating future atmospheric conditions.

Soy protein concentrate can replace animal proteins in weanling pig diets

Researchers found that soy protein concentrate (SPC) ground to three particle sizes showed improved digestibility of crude protein and amino acids compared to traditional protein sources. The results indicate that SPC can be used as an alternative to animal proteins in weanling pig diets without negative effects on growth performance.

Cover, crimp, cultivate?

Researchers explored three organic methods to suppress weeds: using cover crops instead of disks, turning them under, or flatening with a crimper. While some found cover crops to be effective in reducing weeds, the team also noted that unexpected weather conditions and soil fertility issues impacted results.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateApr 5, 2017

Nematode resistance in soybeans beneficial even at low rates of infestation

Researchers found that resistant soybean varieties yield more than susceptible ones even at low SCN infestation levels, with a yield advantage seen in environments with no SCN infestation. Despite mounting pressure from nematodes, varieties with PI 88788-resistance still provide moderate resistance and produce good yields.

Graphene from soybeans

Graphene, a carbon material one atom thick, has been made more commercially viable thanks to the humble soybean. The novel GraphAir technology eliminates the need for high-controlled environments and expensive equipment, reducing production time and cost.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2017

Plasma-zapping process could yield trans fat-free soybean oil product

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a hydrogenation process that uses high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) to solidify soybean oil for food processing without creating trans fats. The new process is more efficient and environmentally friendly, with the potential to produce safe plant oils on a large scale.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInnovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies·DateDec 1, 2016

Soybean plants with fewer leaves yield more

Modern soybean crops produce too many leaves, wasting resources like water and carbon. By reducing leaf area, researchers found an 8% increase in seed yield through increased photosynthesis and decreased respiration. The study aims to optimize crop structure for higher yields without compromising water efficiency.