Articles tagged with Agricultural Engineering
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
A new project funded by the Weston Family Foundation's Homegrown Innovation Challenge will continue advancing indoor blueberry trials while expanding to include raspberries and blackberries. The goal is to develop compact, high-yield berry varieties and modular growing systems that support Canadian farmers year-round.
A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a low-cost, non-invasive method to estimate total leaf area in dwarf tomato plants. The study applies structure-from-motion techniques and machine learning to predict plant growth with remarkable accuracy, making precision agriculture more accessible.
The system tracks and analyzes crop development using data from sensors, biosensors, the Internet of Things, and AI. Strong security protocols ensure farmer data remains private and resilient against future quantum computer attacks. The research team plans to improve their system with faster sensor processing and a solar-powered battery.
A Japanese study demonstrates that dual-axis sun-tracking agrivoltaic systems can produce competitive solar power while maintaining high-quality rice yields. The system achieved 75-85% rice yield improvements compared to traditional paddies, and generated nearly 44,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new type of bioplastic, called LEAFF, which is strong, biodegradable, and printable. This innovation uses cellulose nanofibers to address the limitations of current bioplastics and has potential applications for sustainable packaging.
Scientists have developed high-performance textile fibers from invasive paper-mulberry bark using a simple, scalable route. The coated fibers exhibit excellent tensile strength and antimicrobial properties, outperforming traditional materials like cotton.
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.
Researchers from MIT found that a single nanoscale dose of lanthanides can make crops more resilient to UV stress and increase seedling growth. The study also uncovered the chemical processes by which lanthanides interact with chlorophyll pigments, strengthening them and helping plants recover from damage.
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.
Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have found beneficial microbes in rice roots that can support plant growth and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. The study reveals an increase in microbial diversity as plants mature, with nitrogen-fixing bacteria enriching the soil.
University of Sydney researchers have developed a method to produce ammonia in gas form using electricity, offering a more sustainable alternative to the current Haber-Bosch process. This new approach reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a promising solution for the agricultural and hydrogen industries.
This study investigates the cyclic bond behavior of FRP bars in concrete, analyzing key factors such as bar diameter and embedment length. A unified bond stress–slip constitutive model is developed to capture interfacial degradation mechanisms under cyclic loads.
A new study developed a powerful method for detecting simultaneous nitrogen and water deficiencies in field-grown sesame using deep learning and multiple data sources. The integration of hyperspectral, thermal, and RGB imaging enabled identification of combined nutrient and water-related deficiencies.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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 review highlights gaps in research for remote sensing, land use, urban growth, and forecasting, as well as opportunities to focus on specific types of risk. A new tool using natural language processing enables more in-depth gap analysis, revealing areas like AI methods and Water Resources as major opportunities.
Researchers from MIT and SMART extended fresh-cut crops' shelf life by four days at room temperature and 10 days when refrigerated using melatonin-filled microneedles. This technology could reduce global food waste, providing an alternative to refrigeration for regions with limited infrastructure.
MIT researchers have developed a way to produce large amounts of silk microneedles to deliver agrochemicals and nutrients to plants, showing promising results in treating chlorosis and adding vitamin B12 to tomato plants. The technology has the potential to serve as a new kind of plant interface for real-time health monitoring and biof...
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.
Researchers at MIT engineered bacteria to produce unique wavelengths of light that can be detected using hyperspectral cameras. This technology could enable the development of bacterial sensors for agricultural applications, such as monitoring crop health and detecting pollutants.
The journal is inviting submissions on AI for engineering, focusing on novel methodologies and applications to solve real-world problems. Submissions can cover various areas such as intelligent manufacturing, energy, transportation, and medicine.
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.
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a system that makes pesticides stick to plant leaves, reducing waste and costs for farmers. The new technology, which involves coating droplets with an oily material, improves the 'stickiness' of the droplets by up to a hundredfold.
Scientists at UC Riverside discovered a way to exploit parasitic plant hormones to induce
The University of Illinois researchers have developed organic-material-based nanozymes that can detect histamine in food products with an affordable analytic performance profile. An integrated point-of-use platform allows for rapid detection of agricultural and biological molecules without laboratory equipment.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science develop a location-based method to track dairy cows in entire barns using multi-camera systems, improving accuracy and detecting health issues. The system achieves around 90% accuracy in tracking cows and 80% Identification F1 score for individual cow identification.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a low-carbon system that transforms materials like plastics and agricultural waste into syngas, producing high-quality chemicals and fuels. The technology achieves a purity of around 90% in a process that takes only a few minutes.
Researchers led by Xianming Shi are exploring the use of agricultural waste to build roadways, aiming to reduce carbon emissions from asphalt production. Biochar, a CO2-negative material produced through pyrolysis, can sequester carbon in asphalt pavement and potentially extend its lifespan.
A recent discovery in the Amazon reveals a unique drainage and irrigation system that enabled the Casarabe society to produce maize throughout the year. This innovation allowed for at least two harvests of maize per year, ensuring a stable food supply.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a plant-based method to extract nickel from contaminated soil, providing a potential solution for the US's growing demand for this critical mineral. By manipulating the superplant Camelina sativa, scientists can absorb nickel, produce biofuel oil, and clean polluted soil.
Researchers have uncovered how soybean varieties respond to different types of nematode infections, revealing new insights into plant defense mechanisms. The study found that resistant plants activate genes involved in immune responses, while susceptible plants fail to do so, making them vulnerable to attack.
Researchers at Okayama University have identified the Shoot-Silicon-Signal protein as a crucial regulator of silicon uptake and accumulation in rice and other grasses. The study highlights the importance of silicon in enhancing plant resilience and productivity, particularly under climate change conditions.
Researchers have developed a new sorghum variant that can outperform soybeans in oil production, with great potential as a clean source of renewable fuel. The 'push-pull-protect' strategy successfully engineered sorghum lines to accumulate up to 5.5% TAG in their leaves and 3.5% dry weight in their stems under field conditions.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
Simon Fraser University has received a $23 million grant to expand its Invention to Innovation (i2I) programs, providing bilingual innovation and entrepreneurship training for graduate students, researchers, and faculty. The program aims to bridge the gap between invention and innovation, equipping researchers with skills to thrive as ...
Researchers at UTIA and the USDA-ARS are developing advanced automated sensors, insect traps, and robotic technologies to identify pest species and determine contaminated areas. The new systems will reduce post-harvest losses and contamination in the global food market and supply chain.
Researchers develop precision techniques using optical sensors and AI to facilitate efficient and accurate food drying. The study discusses three emerging smart drying techniques, providing practical information for the food industry.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that certain bacteria can reduce a plant's immune activity, allowing its roots to grow longer. The study identified an enzyme produced by one of these bacteria as the key factor in this process, which could have implications for understanding microbiome interactions with host immune systems.
Increasing Rubisco, the plant enzyme responsible for capturing atmospheric CO2, can complement existing efforts to enhance yields while research on complex innovations progresses. This approach may offer benefits sooner than other strategies, particularly in conditions with decreased CO2 concentration, such as drought or heat stress.
Researchers develop a cotransporter system that combines autonomous harvesting, unloading, and transportation operations for fully efficient rice harvesting. The proposed dual-unloading mode significantly enhances operational efficiency by minimizing downtime and optimizing resource use.
Researchers found that soil contains antibiotic resistance genes that can be transmitted to humans, making it a pressing public health threat. The study reveals how these genes spread through the environment and highlights the importance of understanding soil ecosystems to control antibiotic resistance.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has won a four-year grant to create hands-on curriculum about AI-related technologies for future farmers and leaders. Selected students will test the curriculum in drones, robotics, and other smart agriculture technologies, gaining skills in coding, drone-work, and robotics.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a non-toxic pesticide using neem seed extract and nanotechnology. The new formulation shows improved targeting ability and reduces environmental pollution by up to 80-90% of sprayed pesticides missing their target entirely.
A team from the University of Illinois has engineered a potato crop that can thrive in elevated temperatures, resulting in a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation aims to improve food security for families dependent on potatoes, which are often affected by changing climate conditions.
Researchers developed a new durable plastic that breaks down in seawater, reducing microplastic pollution. The material is strong, non-toxic, and customizable for various applications.
A new program supported by a four-year grant from the USDA will train Michigan youth in 'smart agriculture' using data science. The project aims to equip the workforce with knowledge in both smart farming tools and data science to address global food production challenges.
Researchers from the University of Cordoba developed a model to test agrivoltaic integration, finding that joint activities can lead to greater combined productivity. The study shows that photovoltaic plants and hedgerow olive groves can coexist and even benefit each other, with solar collectors generating more energy while shading cro...
A new type of biochar pellet has been developed to remove phosphorus from farm drainage water, reducing pollution and costs. The pellets have a significantly higher phosphorus-binding capacity than traditional materials, making them an efficient solution for farmers seeking to reduce nutrient losses.
Researchers are developing soybeans that can handle extreme weather conditions, allowing farmers to maintain yields under pressure. By studying plant adaptation strategies, scientists aim to create more resilient soybean varieties.
Researchers developed a method to reconstruct hyperspectral images from standard RGB images using deep machine learning. The technique achieved over 70% accuracy in predicting soluble solid content and 88% accuracy in dry matter content in sweet potatoes, with potential applications for the agricultural industry.
A new study reveals that two specific genes in the RNA interference pathway play a crucial role in preventing virus transmission from parent to progeny in plants. This discovery could lead to healthier crops and potentially reduce the transmission of diseases like Zika from mothers to human children.
A century-old experiment has pinpointed the genes behind barley's adaptability, enabling its continued survival in rapidly changing environments. Researchers identified key genes that enable flowering at optimal times, allowing crops to thrive despite increased temperatures and droughts.
Researchers at Cornell University found that integrating AI into environmental control systems can reduce energy consumption in indoor agriculture by up to 25%. By optimizing lighting and climate regulation, AI helps create an energy-efficient solution for optimal plant growth, carbon dioxide levels, and ventilation requirements.