Articles tagged with Crop Production
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Scientists have discovered evidence of prehistoric milk production in southern Europe dating back to the onset of agriculture around 9,000 years ago. The study suggests that dairying played a crucial role in sustaining early farmers and spreading farming across the western Mediterranean region.
Researchers successfully grew high-quality tomatoes in a Texas A&M AgriLife Research project, producing over 1,500 pounds of tomatoes. The study found that tomato yields were higher in the high tunnel plots than in the field, with the Texas A&M-developed varieties outperforming commercial entries.
A new methodology in the agri-food sector has been recognized with an international award for its potential to reduce resource consumption and improve productivity. The methodology uses a mathematical model based on Petri nets to optimize crop production and processing.
Planting angle, cordon height, and bud selection significantly impact canopy establishment in UFO trees. Effective practices can increase grower success and reduce crop load potential, optimizing labor efficiency and uniformity.
A study by Wortman et al. recommends using perlite mixed with coco coir or vermiculite and synthetic fertilizer to maximize strawberry yield in vertical, hydroponic systems. The results showed that cultivars like Florida Radiance, Monterey, Evie 2, Portola, and Seascape were among the highest-yielding in at least one site-year.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to expand the farm financial management database FINBIN to include Tennessee farms. This expansion will provide benchmark financial information for producers, lenders, and other agricultural professionals, enabling them to make more informed financial decisions.
A new study finds that globalization has not increased food diversity as much as anticipated, with diets still largely determined by local biodiversity. The lack of specialization in agriculture has implications for the global food supply, including inefficiencies and potential trade-offs for food security.
A new discovery at RUDN University allows for substantially increased production of high-quality planting material using artificial winter in the fridge. This method uses micro cloning to grow plants from small buds, with potential benefits including increased plant height, reduced virus attacks, and improved plant health.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $36.5 million to support research and extension projects in specialty crop production. These projects focus on improving crop yields, addressing food safety concerns, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
A study on sole-source LEDs found that increasing light intensity and quality negatively impacts nutrient content in Brassica microgreens. Growers can use the data to select beneficial lighting practices.
A new study identifies nearly 1.37 billion hectares of land globally suitable for oil palm cultivation, while avoiding protected forests and high-biodiversity areas. The resulting map includes 19.3 million hectares of land that could be available for future production, slightly more than the current extent of palm oil production.
A new plant engineering method has been developed to produce artemisinic acid, the molecule from which artemisinin is derived, in high yields. This technique involves transferring the metabolic pathway of Artemisia annua into tobacco plants, resulting in unprecedented levels of artemisinic acid production.
A new study using an economic model found that climate change will significantly impact farmland values in the US Southwest, with highland counties expected to be more affected than lowland counties. Irrigation and farm subsidies increased farmland value, while heat waves hurt productivity.
A new study by Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) reveals that the 3-nitrooxypropanol compound reduces methane production in ruminants without harming their health. This finding opens up possibilities to decrease global temperatures and increase efficiency of ruminant production systems.
Researchers found the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana emits roughly 2% of global ethane, equivalent to 250,000 tons per year. This single region's emissions are 10-100 times larger than reported inventories and impact air quality across North America.
Field studies show that automated thinners increase plant size and uniformity, leading to larger plant and heart weight compared to hand-thinning methods. The technology optimizes in-row spacing, allowing growers to increase crop yields.
Researchers found that certain mandarin hybrid/rootstock combinations display significantly greater growth and cropping under high huanglongbing pressure. These scion/rootstocks showed increased tolerance to the disease, which could lead to commercially viable fruit production.
Researchers found that technology can reduce waste and theft in India's public distribution system, improving food access for over 20 million people. The study suggests training peer salespeople and cross-disciplinary collaboration are key to successful implementation of these technologies.
A team of international scientists found that feeding biogas reactors at longer intervals produces more biogas, increasing methane and total biogas yields by up to 14% and 18%, respectively. The flexible feeding management approach has no negative effect on the stability of the biogas production process.
A new study by Brown and Tufts universities found that climate change can reduce agricultural production in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso by 9-13% with a 1 degree Celsius temperature increase. The research considered crop yield, land area, and double cropping to provide a more comprehensive understanding of climate change's effects.
Penn State researchers found that growing feed grains on-farm reduces fossil energy inputs compared to importing from the Midwest. The smallest farm with only forage crops imported all feed grain had a large energy input, but larger farms using canola fuel crops showed significant savings.
A review of 40 years of science shows organic farming can produce sufficient yields, protect the environment and be safer for farm workers. Organic production can also be more profitable for farmers and create less waste.
Small-scale agriculture in developing nations can significantly benefit from increased pollinator density, with a 24% yield increase possible. Large farms may require diverse pollinators to achieve similar benefits, highlighting the importance of agricultural strategies to support pollinator health.
A new study found that second-generation biofuels, such as perennial grasses, can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production. The researchers estimate that meeting the federal biofuels goal will reduce annual U.S. transportation emissions by up to 7-12%.
A new study published in Nature found that droughts and extreme heat reduced global cereal harvests by an average of 9-10% between 1964 and 2007. The impact was greatest in North America, Europe, and Australasia, where production levels dropped by 19.9%.
A new study led by McGill University and the University of British Columbia found that droughts have a significant impact on cereal crop production, particularly in developed nations. The research analyzed data from 177 countries and found that global production lost to extreme weather events averaged around 9-10%.
A study compared 35 basil cultivars and two hydroponic systems, finding that plant performance is more closely related to the choice of cultivar than the system used. Basil fresh weights varied significantly among cultivars, with some producing moderate-high yields.
The Danish berry industry is adopting more sustainable practices, including organic farming, to increase competitiveness and profitability. The project aims to expand organic blackcurrant and sour cherry production, while developing high-value products such as cherry wine and gourmet juices.
Researchers found biochar produced from tomato crop green waste can be used as a substrate for soilless hydroponic tomato production. The study showed that tomatoes grown in biochar-based substrates had similar growth, yield, and fruit quality to those in pine sawdust.
Researchers found that wider in-row spacings and row configurations with three- or four-row setups result in higher yields and better marketable cabbage heads. In-row spacings between 30-35 cm are recommended for early plantings, while 25-cm spacing is more productive for later plantings.
The University of Illinois aims to increase the water use efficiency of sorghum by reducing transpiration through stomata and shifting photosynthetic activity. The project predicts a 40% improvement in water use efficiency, unlocking over 9 million new acres for energy crop production.
A new study suggests that climate change will significantly impact global farming productivity, with a one-sixth decline in production under projected scenarios. Altering crop patterns within countries is key to mitigating these effects, rather than relying on international trade.
A participatory breeding program assisted organic tomato growers in identifying key plant traits needed for optimal production, with flavor as the top priority. The program also revealed differences in fruit quality characteristics between organic and conventional growers, highlighting the importance of disease resistance and nutrition...
A business-as-usual approach to satisfying food demand is not sustainable due to climate change. Plant science can bolster supply by increasing crop nutritional content, water efficiency, and resistance to pests and diseases.
Adaptive multi-paddock grazing is a potential option to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions on cow-calf operations. This advanced rotational grazing results in more carbon sequestration and produces higher quality grass that reduces methane production.
Researchers discovered the 'off' switch for starch production in plants, which rapidly shuts down production at night to prevent energy waste. The discovery suggests that the seemingly wasteful approach holds a clever adaptation strategy to adjust metabolism in response to fluctuating light intensity.
The US Department of Agriculture has funded a three-year study to make organic rice production more economically viable for farmers. The research aims to address key challenges such as weed control, nitrogen supply, and stand establishment, which are major issues affecting organic rice farming.
Researchers discover cultural practices that can increase sweetpotato production in semiarid regions of the Pacific Northwest. The study found that varying soil water tension irrigation treatments led to improved yields and longer vine lengths.
A novel microalgae biomass technology has been developed by UniVerve Ltd., offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for the production of microalgae-biomass. The technology enables the extraction of high-quality oil, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and other valuable biomaterials from the biomass.
A national nitrogen budget for Denmark shows significant reductions in nitrogen emissions from agriculture, but other sectors like energy production and transport remain major contributors. New initiatives, such as organic farming expansion and electric vehicles, aim to further reduce nitrogen losses.
Recent changes in the dairy industry have benefited dairy cow health and welfare, as well as consumers' expectations for improved animal health. The shift towards more sustainable production methods has led to increased adoption of new technologies, such as automated milking systems and data-driven management practices.
New research suggests offering financial incentives for farming industries to mitigate environmental impact has a positive effect on greenhouse gas reduction and increased biodiversity. However, the study finds that current agriculture funding models are 'perverse subsidies,' promoting negative actions in both the long and short term.
The shift to technified coffee production has worsened economic and ecological conditions for farmers in poor nations like Honduras, Colombia, and Vietnam, due to increased water usage and monoculture farming practices.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered that brassinosteroids are necessary for the production of gibberellins, a hormone that regulates cell elongation and division in plants. This finding has important implications for crop breeding and plant growth.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that meat food waste has a significant impact on the environment due to increased energy use in its production. The study suggests that consumers and institutions should be more conscious of not only the amount but also the types of food being wasted.
Researchers successfully synthesized thebaine and hydrocodone in yeast, offering a novel microbial-based production process for opioids. The breakthrough could significantly reduce production time and potentially create a new source of pain relief worldwide.
Researchers found that supplemental lighting with red and blue LEDs can increase anthocyanin synthesis and pigmentation of lettuce crops, leading to improved color and increased market value. This cost-effective practice allows growers to manipulate leaf color in 5-7 days without negatively affecting growth or morphology.
A team of Belgian researchers has discovered a yeast species that significantly improves chocolate fermentation, resulting in better and more consistent chocolate. The new method allows for the creation of specialty chocolates with unique flavors.
A University of Oregon researcher found that large-scale organic farming operations are not reducing greenhouse gas emissions, despite being considered a sustainable alternative. The study suggests stricter adherence to sustainability-driven farm practices and increased governmental oversight are needed.
A global study synthesizes data from 1980 to 2014 to better understand how drought affects different legume species and soil conditions. The results show that the magnitude of yield loss varies with legume species and phenological state during drought, while soil texture also plays a role.
A study by Utah State University found that high tunnels, low tunnels, and supplemental heating increase yields and raise income for strawberry growers. The most profitable method was a high tunnel system alone, which generated an estimated net income of $1943.57 per year.
Researchers explore using vegetable crops in bioenergy feedstock double-cropping systems, finding comparable yields and higher farm gate values than traditional pumpkin production. The study suggests potential for contributing to both food and fuel production goals.
Research highlights silicon's importance in rice production, enhancing resistance to pests, pathogens, and abiotic stresses. Recycling of rice straw is crucial for maintaining silicon availability, particularly in regions with low soil weathering.
Prickly lettuce has potential as a new cash crop providing raw material for rubber production, according to Washington State University scientists. They identified genetic markers linked to rubber production in the plant's genetic code, opening the way for breeding desired traits and developing a sustainable source of natural rubber.
Researchers found that liquid corn and fish fertilizers are good options for organic blackberry production, meeting plant nutrient needs except for calcium and boron. The fertilizers were effective in delivering nutrients through the drip system, but regular flushing was recommended to prevent emitter clogging.
A new study found that 13 of 23 protected areas in Ivory Coast had lost their entire primate populations due to illegal cocoa farming. The researchers also discovered that 20 of the areas had unauthorized villages with nearly 30,000 people, highlighting the scale of deforestation caused by cocoa production.
Scientists have discovered 30 new types of heat-beater beans that can thrive in drastic weather extremes, offering a climate-friendly option for farmers. The development of these heat-defying beans is a landmark result of urgent efforts to adapt crops to environmental stresses and could save the 'meat of the poor' from global warming.
New study finds that farms with lower carbon footprints and higher-producing cows are more profitable, offering a win-win solution for the dairy industry. By increasing milk production, decreasing herd replacement rates, or improving reproductive efficiency, farmers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining profitability.
Researchers at Australian National University have made a breakthrough in boosting the sluggish activity of Rubisco, a crucial enzyme for plant growth. By introducing a modified version of RAF1, scientists successfully doubled Rubisco levels in leaves, leading to increased photosynthesis and plant growth.
Fistulifera solaris, a diatom microalga, is found to grow quickly and produce high levels of oils simultaneously. Its genome and transcriptome analyses provide insights into its characteristics, making it an excellent candidate for batch culture biofuel production.