Articles tagged with Agronomy
Jason Williams, interim director since 2025, is now permanent director of the AgResearch and Education Center at Milan. He will oversee projects like a community garden and expand precision agriculture initiatives.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new approach to breeding crops for farming systems, which could lead to more sustainable and efficient farming practices. By selecting crop varieties based on their legacy, or the impact they have on the soil and subsequent crops, farmers may be able to reduce fertiliser bill...
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has appointed José Peiretti as its new row crop precision agriculture management Extension specialist. Peiretti brings 11 years of expertise in precision agriculture to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of technologies for precision planting, nutrient management, and more.
Heather Kelly, a UTIA plant pathologist, has been selected as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar to collaborate with researchers in Brazil. She will use advanced technologies to model soybean disease epidemics and predict potential threats to Tennessee row crop production.
Scientists at NYU have identified a key regulator controlling nitrogen use in plants, which can be harnessed to develop 'gluttonous' plant varieties that absorb more nitrogen from the soil. This discovery could lead to reduced fertilizer application and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Research team identifies best strategies for managing native cacao trees in Peru, resulting in 59% higher yields after three years. Grafting native 'Blanco de Piura' cacao varieties onto fully grown trees increases productivity levels comparable to commercial clones.
Researchers identified a precise gene edit that lowers cadmium in rice grains while maintaining yield and essential mineral nutrients. The OsNramp5 I441T mutation selectively limits cadmium translocation, reducing grain cadmium by 48% without compromising zinc or manganese uptake.
Researchers have uncovered tens of thousands of previously hidden structural variations influencing yield, nutritional quality and insect resistance in mung bean. The graph-based pan-genome captures over 75,000 gene families and identifies key agronomic traits for accelerating crop improvement.
Researchers found that variable-rate seeding (VRS) can help farmers strike a better balance in corn and soybean fields. However, soybeans proved to be more complicated due to their adaptability to weather conditions. The study aims to make farming more accessible and efficient for small land holders using digital tools and data-driven ...
A €6 million EU Horizon project is building Europe's first platform to coordinate a response to devastating agricultural and forest pest invasions. Plant health authorities will be able to model and optimise pest control strategies across the entire agri-value chain.
Researchers discovered that spider webs, particularly those with environmental debris, can collect viable fungi from agricultural ecosystems. This approach allows for the recovery of living organisms that can be further studied, providing a supplementary sampling surface for capturing biologically relevant particles.
A study by University of Exeter experts found that unified and local efforts can support a thriving environment and improve community well-being. The researchers propose tech-driven, community-led action to rescue local environmental enforcement from funding cuts and jurisdictional confusion.
Soil animal communities exhibit greater trophic diversity in agricultural systems and tropical regions, driven by resource limitation and disturbance. This flexibility helps maintain soil functions but may reflect the loss of specialized species.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
A new study by Cornell University suggests that animal and human waste could meet 102% of nitrogen and 50% of phosphorus needs for US agriculture, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, implementation challenges such as processing and transport need to be addressed to unlock this potential.
The 34th Milan No-Till Field Day will feature presentations on no-till farming strategies, agronomic practices, and cover crop management. The event also includes a trade show, guided tours of the AgResearch Center, and traditional skills sessions like blacksmithing.
Researchers from Beijing Normal University decode historical chemical footprint in Mongolia's Orkhon River Basin to track toxic emissions drivers. The study reveals a link between economic booms and traffic jams and chemical fallout, providing insights for rewriting water management policies across Central Asia.
Researchers identified a mechanism allowing plants to rapidly slow growth in response to extreme stress. By limiting growth-related compounds, plants pause development and cope with stress. The finding has practical applications for developing more resilient crops.
Researchers used aeroponic technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, delivering the recommended daily allowance in a single serving. The fortified crop maintained shelf-life and persisted through cold storage, offering a commercially viable approach to dietary supplementation.
Larry Steckel, a leading expert in weed science, has been elected Fellow by the Weed Science Society of America. His research program focuses on managing multiple-herbicide-resistant weeds in row crop production, providing critical data for farmers to prevent yield loss.
University of Delaware researchers have discovered a novel strain of Bacillus subtilis that helps plants resist soil-borne diseases and retain moisture. The microbe, UD1022, is effective in controlling dollar spot fungus but only when applied directly to leaves, not through soil treatment.
The John Innes Centre has been awarded £21.5m in funding to support four precision breeding projects, aiming to reduce emissions and strengthen crop resilience. These projects will help protect two major agricultural crops from diseases, enhance the nutritional content of tomatoes, and develop sustainable sources of rubber.
A recent study by RIKEN researchers analyzed the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on mandarin oranges in real-world farms across Japan. The findings showed that reducing chemical pesticides led to more fruit diseases, while also enhancing soil microbial diversity and improving carbon content. This trade-off highlights the need for...
A recent study found that adding manganese to soil can lower plant-available nitrogen, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching into waterways. Manganese also reduced the expression of genes involved in nitrogen cycling.
A five-day DSI training workshop at ICRISAT strengthened technical and institutional capacity of 18 scientists from 12 countries across Asia and Africa. The program enabled participants to handle and analyze Digital Sequence Information, integrating genomic data into genebank databases.
The Scaling Hub South Asia is a multi-sector platform designed to accelerate proven agricultural, water, and energy innovations. It aims to strengthen regional food and water security for over 500 million people in South Asia.
Engineered biochar shows promise in boosting crop yields, suppressing soil-borne diseases, and remediating contaminated land. Purpose-specific design is essential for optimal performance.
A study at Kindai University has identified a single gene in eggplant that provides resistance to begomovirus infection. This finding holds promise for developing naturally protected crop varieties, reducing the need for insecticides and promoting sustainable food production.
Researchers compared seedling germination, growth and nutrient uptake in pure food waste substrate, commercial potting mix and blends with varying ratios. Mixtures with less than 50% food waste compost produced better results.
Research in Chile's national parks shows that wildfires significantly alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, affecting ecosystem resilience. Humid temperate forests recover faster than mediterranean woodlands due to fire-adapted trees and higher rainfall.
A new AI method has identified 51 old pea varieties with high starch and protein content, potentially suitable for producing plant-based foods. The study shows a close relationship between seed appearance and chemical composition, enabling partial prediction of properties based on images.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered that parasitic plants recognize
A new study has identified the underground interactions between fungi and oomycetes in twenty Andalusian dehesas, revealing water as the main driver of microorganism diversity. The research also sheds light on the pathogen responsible for la seca, a disease affecting holm oak ecosystems.
Researchers developed a non-invasive OCT scanner to measure environmental stress in plants. The device reveals internal structural changes caused by ozone exposure, enabling early detection of deficiencies or stress-induced changes.
A breakthrough study has identified varieties and key genes to halt pre-harvest sprouting in groundnut due to unseasonal rains, offering a powerful safeguard against severe financial losses. The research provides valuable insights for breeding improved varieties with fresh seed dormancy.
Eight countries support the Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation (RAIZ) accelerator, which offers a 'quadruple-win' for climate, biodiversity, food security, and desertification. RAIZ aims to mobilize $105 billion in private investment to restore degraded agricultural land at scale.
The book explores how CEH can enhance yield, quality, and resource efficiency through technological innovation. It also highlights the role of biotechnology in ensuring global food security.
A team of researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture identified the base, optimal and maximum temperature ranges for eight commonly grown cover crop species. The study's findings provide significant guidance for developing accurate plant growth and biomass prediction models.
A two-year field experiment in California's Central Valley found that super-high-density olive orchards can produce high-quality oil and yields with significantly reduced nitrogen fertilizer. Compost application also improved tree nutrition and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers sequenced the genome of over 3,400 cultivated eggplant varieties and identified key agronomic traits associated with genes. The study revealed over 3,000 associations between traits and genes, providing a foundation for breeding tailor-made eggplant varieties adapted to local conditions.
Researchers have discovered that extended periods of high stress in wheat crops can lead to iron deficiency and stunted growth. By reducing iron deficiency with a synthetic organic molecule called PDMA, plants are able to improve photosynthesis and biomass under heat stress conditions.
Researchers found that straw-derived biochar enhances maize biomass by up to 30% and improves nitrogen use efficiency under limited-water conditions. Alternate partial root-zone drying irrigation also stimulates soil microbes to release nutrients, promoting deeper and more efficient root systems.
Researchers measured miscanthus × giganteus net primary productivity in both aboveground and belowground structures. They found that aboveground productivity varied among sites, fertilization rates, and calculation assumptions, with yields ranging from 15.4 to 36.4 Mg DM ha–1 year–1.
A machine learning model developed by Dr. Lan Mu's team at Tianjin University of Commerce predicts biochar yield and nutrient content with stunning accuracy, unlocking smart soil solutions for healthier soils, cleaner ecosystems, and smarter farming.
Researchers at Washington State University found that early planting to avoid heat damage may actually hinder spring wheat productivity due to other growth issues. The study used computer modeling to show that moving crop plantings earlier in the season can expose crops to elevated heat or cold stress in later growth stages.
A global synthesis found that genetic variation in crops significantly affects methane emissions, but not nitrous oxide emissions. Selective breeding of crop traits can help balance high yields with lower GHG release.
Researchers at Mizzou have developed a specially bred soybean variety called Super that yields the best results in terms of flavor and aroma, making it more appealing to Western consumers. The study found that smart plant breeding can make soy-based foods taste better, which could help more people accept and enjoy them.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that vertical solar panels can generate electricity without compromising crop yields, even with reduced shade. The system requires less land than separate installations and is better received by the public due to its innovative design.
Researchers are analyzing leaf and soil samples from diverse areas to determine beneficial or harmful roles of different microbes. The study aims to improve crop production practices and overall yield by assessing the health of soil rhizosphere.
Researchers used multiple agronomic models to examine the effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. The study found positive effects in both studied locations under a baseline scenario, but negative effects in a worst-case scenario.
Florida Atlantic University's FAU Engineering has received a $827,533 USD grant from the USDA to develop an advanced edge/fog computing-based framework called FogAg. This project aims to revolutionize precision agriculture by enabling real-time sensing and analysis of crop growth and yield.
The third edition of Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests features significant updates and new content, including expanded focus on entomology and emerging diseases. Hundreds of new images enhance identification and diagnosis, making it a comprehensive guide for plant pathologists, agronomists, and growers.
Researchers identify two distinct gene transcripts, SiMYB2-Long and SiMYB2-Short, that regulate anthocyanin accumulation and pigment pattern formation in Saintpaulia flowers. The study reveals the genetic basis of flower patterning, potentially enabling more deliberate breeding of patterned flowers.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered that soybeans employ differential transpiration as a natural defense strategy to cool reproductive tissues under extreme weather conditions. This adaptation allows plants to save significant amounts of water while protecting their flowers and seed pods.
A new study by Texas A&M University is tracking the health effects of living in an agrihood community, where residents have access to a working farm and green spaces. The study aims to measure changes in physical activity, nutrition, and social connectedness among participants.
A review has identified six key employment pathways for youth in Africa's agricultural sector, including primary production, agri-service provision and green entrepreneurship. The review highlights the importance of scalable and sustainable business models that support young entrepreneurs, such as collective action and revenue-sharing ...
The study develops a stochastic dynamic programming model that accounts for cumulative effects of cover crops on soil fertility, uncertain future prices, and irreversibility of sunk machinery costs. The findings suggest a threshold level of soil fertility above which it is optimal to adopt cover crops, favoring no-till practices.
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.
Traditional Asian wheat varieties harbor multiple genes conferring yellow rust resistance, a devastating disease threatening global bread wheat production. These findings highlight the importance of preserving genetic diversity and traditional farming practices to combat diseases and ensure food security.