Articles tagged with Crop Production
A new modeling tool, GAMCAF, predicts a 40% increase in potato production across the ESR and identifies key factors affecting yields, such as soil quality and water management. The platform aims to optimize regional food production and improve food security for consumers, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
A new study evaluates the environmental impact of biocontainers in commercial greenhouse production, finding minor differences in global warming potential compared to traditional plastic containers. The researchers suggest that using more efficient lighting sources could have a greater impact on overall sustainability.
The report suggests that reducing global beef consumption, reducing food waste, and improving farm nutrient management can deliver big climate wins while maintaining food security. Implementing these strategies could cut over three gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The proportion of shade grown coffee in global production has decreased by nearly 20% since 1996, with traditional methods being replaced by more intensive styles. This shift is linked to lower land and labor costs, but also poses risks to the environment, communities, and individual farmers.
A study recommends management practices to address citrus greening disease by monitoring phloem production in affected trees. The researchers found that new phloem tissue supports growth for a limited time, making the weeks before and after spring flush critical for management.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that global food trade can alleviate water scarcity in parts of India, Morocco, and Egypt through imports of agricultural goods. However, exports from countries like Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Afghanistan, and the US exacerbate local water stress.
The Northeast region of the US is vulnerable to changes in food production due to climate change, with population growth and dietary choices expected to impact regional self-reliance. The region can satisfy its residents' food needs through a diverse range of crops and livestock production.
A study published in HortTechnology found that controlling irrigation using moisture sensors can reduce production time and crop losses, increasing profitability substantially. The wireless sensor system also saves water, labor, energy, and fertilizer.
Researchers evaluated county-level energy and GHG intensity of grain corn, stover, and cob production in Ontario from 2006-2011. The study identified opportunities for efficiency improvements through field-drying corn hybrids, reduced tillage, and diminished nitrogen inputs to reduce GHG emissions.
A study by the University of Exeter reveals that crop pests are greatly underestimated in developing countries, posing a significant threat to global food security. With many nations underreporting pest loads, investment in pest observations is crucial to identifying and controlling losses.
The Algae Biomass Organization has published a new standard for measuring algae industry operations, establishing a common language for describing economic and environmental impact. The updated standards will help compare diverse algae technologies and their commercial production scale.
Researchers in sweet corn production emphasize the need for accurate measurement of crop responses to improve decision-making. The current approach often focuses on yield, whereas processor variables like recovery and case production are crucial for productivity.
A study published in Poultry Science reveals a significant reduction in environmental impact from US egg production, thanks to advancements in feed efficiency, hen housing and manure management. The industry has decreased greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and waste production, while increasing egg production and hen lifespan.
Research suggests that future global food security projections may be overly optimistic due to stagnant crop yields in intensively cropped areas. This could lead to increased marginal costs and decreased returns on investment in agricultural research and development.
A new study analyzed the diet and digestion of cows, chickens, and pigs to determine their impact on climate change. The research found that animal diets vary greatly depending on the region, with some animals requiring more food to produce a kilo of protein than others.
Heterotrimeric G proteins play significant roles in plant development, including fruit and seed size and production, defense against pests and pathogens, and response to abiotic stresses. Research by Sona Pandey and collaborators showed that elevated G protein quantities in Camelina sativa led to increased seed production and size.
A new study found that increasing cropping frequency could boost global food production by up to 44% on existing agricultural lands. Harvest gaps, the difference between actual and maximum potential harvest frequencies, are highest in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Researchers found that a mixture of blue and red LEDs enhances lettuce growth rate, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant compound production. Red LED alone stimulates biomass but induces abnormal leaf shape and negative effects on antioxidants.
A study by Washington State University researchers compared high tunnel and open-field production systems for lettuce and tomato. High tunnel-grown tomatoes were three times more profitable than open-field production, while lettuce was less profitable due to higher labor costs.
Researchers evaluated the impact of different colored shade nets on plant growth, temperature and light conditions in a 12-month study. The results showed that all shade nets reduced photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) values compared to uncovered sites, with black nets reducing PAR most and red nets least.
A new textbook sheds light on environmentally friendly technologies that can manage and recycle animal manure effectively and sustainably. The book highlights the need for robust interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals in environmental technology, industrial farm animal production, and agriculture to implement these solutions.
A study published in HortScience reveals that current nitrogen fertilization practices in California's strawberry production system are not efficient, leading to decreased water quality. The researchers suggest reducing fertilizer rates and implementing drip irrigation management to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce groundwate...
Scientists evaluated spinach nutrient uptake and water use to improve nitrogen fertilizer management, recommending soil NO3 testing at planting and midseason application. The study found that optimal fertilizer timing and rate can significantly reduce nitrate losses from production fields.
Research argues that aquaculture certification has significant limitations due to low market demand and focus on farm-level impacts. The study suggests integrating multiple governance approaches to promote sustainable aquaculture production.
A recent study by Kansas State University predicts that the High Plains Aquifer will deplete to 69% by 50 years if current irrigation trends continue. Reducing water use could extend the aquifer's lifetime and increase net agricultural production until 2110.
Researchers used GIS software to map Brazil's grain storage facilities and found significant undercapacity, particularly in the northern state of Mato Grosso. The study aims to determine optimal locations for additional storage, addressing postharvest losses and increasing production efficiency.
Ecologists Monica Turner and Jiangxiao Qiu mapped ecosystem services in the Yahara River watershed, finding complex interactions between provisioning, cultural, and regulating services. The study identifies areas with high levels of multiple services, suggesting a holistic approach to land management.
A team of researchers found that E. coli contamination on spinach farms is strongly influenced by factors such as time since last irrigation, workers' personal hygiene, and field use prior to planting produce. The study also identified the role of weather in producing contamination as a critical factor.
Current global crop yields are not increasing quickly enough to support estimated global needs in 2050, according to a University of Minnesota study. The analysis identifies focus areas for closing the gap, including targeting investments on arable lands and improving best management practices.
A new study finds that global crop yields are increasing at a slower rate than needed to meet projected demands in 2050. The top three countries producing rice and wheat have low yield growth rates, highlighting the need for targeted investments to increase production.
Researchers found that high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are needed for modern corn hybrids, with applications made during key growth stages to maximize crop growth. Adequate accounting for nutrients with high harvest index values is vital to maintaining long-term soil productivity.
Researchers at UC Davis have identified several compounds that can increase oil production in green algae by up to 85% without affecting growth. The team used a high-throughput screening approach similar to pharmaceutical drug discovery to find these compounds.
As the global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2040, providing enough food and water while meeting rising demands for energy will be a daunting task. Innovations in plant biotechnology, synthetic biology, and information technology are needed to address these challenges.
Researchers at Kansas State University are part of a $6.5 million collaboration to refine biomass conversion into better biodiesel, jet fuel, and other value-added products. The project aims to optimize every component used in the production cycle for closed-loop systems without emissions.
Research from the University of Sheffield found that starving algae of key nutrients like nitrogen can actually decrease overall oil yield. Increasing cell density also boosts productivity, contrary to previous expectations.
A new regulatory methodology is proposed to improve the evaluation of invasive potential in biofuel feedstocks. The current method has a significant gap in protection against natural areas invasions, leading to massive financial effects.
A recent study found that managed honey bees are less successful at pollinating crops than wild insects, highlighting the negative consequences of losing wild insect populations. The research emphasizes the need for integrated management practices to promote long-term agricultural production and enhance global crop yields.
Scientists report new estimates that downgrade additional land available for biofuel production by nearly 80%. The revised estimates suggest 140 million-2.6 billion acres of land can be cultivated for biofuels, compared to previous estimates of 800 million-3.5 billion acres.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have isolated natural compounds that can help keep bread fresh without changing its flavor. The compounds, known as hydroxy fatty acids, also show antifungal activity and have potential to replace or complement fungicides used in treating crop seeds.
The EU directive on GMOs must be amended to allow the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals, which could lead to cheaper vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and organic plastics. The new regulations should provide tight oversight to encourage investment while maintaining trust.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study found significant declines in pinyon pine seed cone production due to regional warming and drought. The biggest declines were at higher elevation sites with more dramatic warming, which likely inhibits cone initiation and development.
A study found 149 unique antibiotic-resistant genes on Chinese commercial pig farms, with levels 192-28,000 times higher than controls. Daily exposure to antibiotics allows microbes carrying these genes to thrive, posing a potential global risk to human health.
A new study by Karl Zimmerer and colleagues found that small-scale farmers in Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico can successfully cultivate genetically diverse local crops alongside intensive agriculture. These farms often rely on remittances from migrant communities, which enables them to maintain agrobiodiversity maize.
Researchers found that mixing different cover crops can increase dry matter biomass by up to 25% while reducing weed suppression needs. This long-term study supports the use of legume-rye mixes for optimal results in commercial organic production systems.
Scientists at Michigan State University and other institutions have found that marginal lands can produce substantial amounts of cellulosic biomass, which could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre. This study provides an estimate of greenhouse gas benefits from using these lands for biofuel production.
Researchers estimate that using marginal lands for growing cellulosic biomass crops could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre, with substantial greenhouse gas mitigation. The study found that mixed species cellulosic biomass can be a prime real estate for meeting the nation's alternative energy production goals.
Researchers at University of Illinois mapped 4,648 urban agriculture sites in Chicago using Google Earth, finding that residential gardens and vacant lot gardens contribute substantially to food production. Backyard gardens, underappreciated and unsupported, also play a crucial role in food security, particularly in areas with limited ...
Researchers have discovered that ancient Petra was extensively farmed on terraces, with wheat, grapes, and olives being cultivated. The complex systems of dam construction and water management were crucial to the region's agricultural success.
A recent study discovered that small patches of native plants within fruit orchards can enhance pollinator services, increasing mango production. The presence of these patches has been shown to increase the number of visits from honeybees and wild pollinators, leading to improved crop yields.
The study found significant genetic differences between Asian and European wild boars, as well as a high degree of similarity in immunity genes between pigs and humans. This discovery could lead to better breeding strategies, improved pork production, and increased potential for the pig as a biomedical model.
Reducing nitrogen fertilizer use by 60% in over-fertilized areas could substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions without affecting crop productivity. The study found that N2O emissions have become the dominant factor in China's warming effect, surpassing the cooling effects of CO2 uptake.
The study suggests that a thorough reassessment of land availability for bioenergy production is needed to account for environmental and socio-economic constraints. Policy recommendations aim to resolve conflicting land-use demands and promote sustainable development.
A team of researchers investigated whether 'surplus' land can be used to produce feedstock for bioenergy. They found that land-use conflicts between food and energy production are a pressing issue. The study suggests clarifying the definition of surplus land and taking environmental and socio-economic factors into account.
The USDA has announced a regional biofuels system in the Northeast, aimed at developing sustainable energy markets and creating jobs. The project, valued at $10 million, will focus on biomass supply chains for liquid transportation and aviation biofuels.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory used a computational model to identify key metabolic pathways that favor the production of either oils or proteins in plants. The research focused on rapeseed and found 149 reactions responsive to changes in oil/protein tradeoff, highlighting potential targets for genetic manipulation.
A Clemson University researcher is working on a project to develop a model that can predict the risk of downy mildew infection in cucurbit crops. This model aims to help reduce the need for fungicides, lower production costs, and increase crop yields.
Researchers found that closing the yield gap on underperforming lands could boost production significantly, while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. The study suggests that more strategic use of fertilizer and water could lead to substantial gains in crop production and reduced adverse environmental impacts.
Researchers will survey producers and interview key stakeholders in 15 cities to examine trends in urban farming. Urban agriculture's diversity in production methods and its potential impact on community development and access to healthy food are also being studied.
The seafood industry frequently employs a combination of fishing and aquaculture techniques, making traditional categories insufficient for accounting for its growth potential and environmental impacts. Hybrid classification schemes can help improve the accuracy of data on seafood production and enhance sustainable supply management.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have devised a novel method for forming virtual power plants to provide renewable energy production in the UK. They designed a payment mechanism that incentivizes DERs to join CVPPs with large overall production, utilizing intelligent software agents and proper scoring rules to improve acc...