Articles tagged with Crop Production
Biofuels' environmental benefits are overstated due to neglected GHG emissions and flawed Life Cycle Analysis models. The study highlights the omission of CO2 from vehicles using ethanol and biodiesel as a key contributor to this overestimation.
After the buyout, Kentucky tobacco farmers shifted production to more productive farms, increasing productivity by 44% and acreage by over double. Diversification into specialty tobaccos also contributed to their success.
The Tomato Genome Consortium has sequenced the genomes of domesticated tomatoes and its wild ancestor Solanum pimpinellifolium, revealing detailed insights into the plant's genetic makeup. The sequences provide a better understanding of how genetics and environmental factors interact to determine crop health and viability.
Iowa State University and Salk Institute researchers discovered the function of three plant proteins involved in regulating fatty acid accumulation and temperature stress mitigation in plants. The study's findings have major implications for sustainable food production, biorenewable chemicals, and fuels.
Three new rootstocks, Zentmyer, Steddom, and Uzi, have demonstrated superior tolerance to Phytophthora root rot (PRR), a devastating disease affecting avocado production globally. The rootstocks offer improved yields and salt tolerance, enabling growers to manage PRR effectively.
Harold H. Kung's analysis finds Investment Tax Credit to be more attractive for consumers and investors due to lower electricity prices and faster returns on investment. The study aimed to mitigate the high capital cost of wind power, benefiting both parties.
A class of compounds found in hops has been shown to reduce weight gain and improve gut permeability in obese and diabetic mice. The treatment also normalized insulin sensitivity markers, suggesting a novel mechanism for improving metabolic health.
University of Cincinnati researchers have developed predictive software to analyze two years' worth of operating data from a commercial wind turbine, identifying key components with high failure rates and average downtime. The study aims to establish real-world performance metrics for turbines, enabling optimal scheduling of maintenanc...
A team of Stanford engineers has developed a weather model to recommend the optimal placement of four interconnected offshore wind farms off the US East Coast. The grid would have a total maximum capacity of 2000 megawatts, with each farm delivering an individual maximum capacity of 500 megawatts.
Slugs are major crop pests in no-till field crops, with limited management options available. Integrated pest management options, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, are suggested for common mid-Atlantic slug species.
The European research project ReUseWaste aims to develop technologies and systems to make agriculture more resource-efficient by extracting bio-energy from waste, increasing nutrient recycling, and conserving soil quality. The project focuses on Denmark's significant animal manure production, aiming to increase sustainability and drive...
The initiative aims to increase photosynthetic power, cold tolerance, and oil production in sugarcane and sorghum, making them suitable for biodiesel and jet fuel production. Sugarcane and sorghum can potentially replace traditional oil-producing plants like soybeans, offering significant energy security and economic viability.
A study found that a deadly staph 'superbug' has jumped from humans to food animals, becoming resistant to antibiotics due to routine use in farm animal production. The bacteria, MRSA CC398, thrives in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
Researchers used satellite imagery from Google Earth to count fish farming cages in the Mediterranean, estimating a total of 225,736 tonnes of finfish production. The study suggests that both Greece and Turkey underreport their farmed fish production, but overall, Mediterranean countries are giving accurate counts.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that greenhouse bedding plant growers can increase profits by providing cuttings with sufficient light. The study showed that plants rooted faster and were of higher quality when exposed to more light.
Scientists at the University of Notre Dame have successfully engineered silkworms to produce fibers with the strength and elasticity of spider silk. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials for sutures, wound dressings, artificial limbs, and other textiles. The researchers used a transgenic engineering approach ...
Researchers are using mini wind turbines and advanced flow measurements to understand the impact of hilly terrain on wind turbine performance. Preliminary results show that turbines on hilly terrain experience higher wind loads and recover power potential more rapidly than those on flat ground.
Researchers found that tea seed powder can either increase or decrease plant growth depending on the application dose. The study suggests that using TSP at the correct dose could improve crop yields and quality in agriculture and horticulture operations.
Researchers found vermicompost amendments in organic substrates significantly enhanced tomato growth and yield. The addition of vermicompost resulted in lower incidence of defective fruit, further increasing the benefits for organic production.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that wind energy production can be compatible with wildlife conservation in Kansas. The researchers identified areas to avoid and quantified offset projects needed to make up for ecological effects, allowing for the potential development of up to 10 million hectares of land.
A US Department of Agriculture scientist identified a rare grass-like sedge as blue sedge, native to Asia and Australia, found growing near the gravesites of a royal Gypsy family in Mississippi. The plant's restricted distribution and invasive traits suggest it could cause problems in US lawn and turf systems.
Researchers sequenced Hemp (Cannabis sativa) genome, revealing the genetic changes that led to marijuana's psychoactive properties. The study suggests domestication and breeding of marijuana strains resulted in the loss of an enzyme competing with THCA production.
Biotech has added billions to farmers' incomes globally, with the four main crops of soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola experiencing significant increases. The study found that biotech benefits were particularly pronounced in developing countries, with GM insect-resistant cotton and herbicide-tolerant soybeans driving these gains.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles in pigeon crops and found genes involved in cell growth, antioxidant production, and immune response. The study reveals the mechanisms behind pigeon 'milk' production, which is essential for young pigeon squabs.
A study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that pure maple syrup improved liver function tests in rats fed a diet with 20% pure maple syrup compared to a control group. The results suggest that maple syrup's polyphenolic antioxidants may help regulate glucose metabolism and reduce liver enzyme levels.
Researchers introduce the 'midway' strategy to produce sustainable ethanol from sugarcane, minimizing impacts on biodiversity. The approach involves biotechnology, genetically improved crops, and policies supporting sustainable land management.
A new study reveals that organic crop rotation can be more profitable and carry less risk than conventional corn and soybean production, even with reduced price premiums. The research, which analyzed 18 years of data from a University of Minnesota trial, found that organic production was consistently more lucrative over the long term.
Researchers found that using flat bed systems increased yields by an average of 6 percent and improved water and nitrogen use efficiency. The study supported the USDA's commitment to enhancing sustainable agriculture, helping farmers increase yields, save water resources, and reduce nitrate leaching.
Wayne State start-up company NextCAT has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the National Science Foundation. The $498,830 grant will support the commercialization of a biofuel catalyst technology that enables cost-effective biodiesel production using low-cost feedstocks.
A study by USDA-ARS scientist Arnold Bruns compared twin-row and single-row soybean plantings and found that the former yielded more pods per plant without affecting seed yield. Twin-row production resulted in increased yields on both soils, but only minor economic benefits of $75 per hectare. The study highlights the importance of con...
A team of researchers at DOE's BioEnergy Science Center has pinpointed the single gene controlling ethanol production capacity in a microorganism. This breakthrough discovery could lead to developing biomass crops that produce higher concentrations of ethanol at lower costs, addressing our reliance on imported oil.
Algae-based fuel produces high energy output with minimal land use, but its production is associated with significant environmental costs. The research suggests that algae-based biofuels may not be a silver bullet for replacing petroleum as a transportation energy source.
A Michigan State University study shows that converting Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to corn and soybean production creates a significant carbon debt. Growing CRP grasses for cellulosic ethanol instead provides immediate energy and climate benefits, with no carbon debt.
A study by Kansas State University researchers linked increased soybean and biofuel crop production in Brazil to significant deforestation in the Amazon. Reducing soybean production by 10% could decrease deforestation by nearly 40%.
The study found that self-seeding winter cereal cover crops produced consistent growth using wheat cover crop and mechanical seed dispersal. This technique can lower costs and risks while extending ecological functions of cover crops beyond their normal termination dates.
Researchers found that virus-tested foundation seed increases yield, but quality declines when integrated into commercial farms. Seed productivity and quality vary from year to year and location to location.
An online mentoring program helped students in agriculture and natural resources gain insight into career opportunities and college life. The program expanded students' views of career possibilities and increased their willingness to relocate for career purposes.
Researchers identify top biotic constraints affecting soybean production, including aphids, rust, nematodes, and exotic pathogen red leaf blotch. Genetic resources, biosecurity measures, and resistant cultivars are needed to combat these threats.
A new analysis finds that most countries participating in REDD+ cite agriculture as the main cause of deforestation, but few provide details on how to address this issue. Countries pursuing food and biofuel production policies are intensifying agriculture-related pressures on forest lands.
A study on Miscanthus species reveals their potential as high-yield energy crops capable of growing on marginal land. The authors found that wild populations have genetic variation and adaptation that could provide valuable resources for the development of bioenergy crops.
The American Society for Microbiology warns that globalization is exposing the US food supply to unsanitary practices, particularly in seafood and fresh produce imports. The FDA inspects less than 1% of imported entries annually, highlighting the need for both government verification and industry responsibility.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a fungus-based process that improves the economics of ethanol production by producing high-quality animal feed and cleaning water for recycling. The MycoMeal process has the potential to save US ethanol producers up to $800 million per year in energy costs.
A new study led by Stanford University researchers found that US farmers have largely avoided the impacts of global warming on wheat and corn production. However, with projected temperature increases, it is likely that North American crop yields will eventually be affected.
Algae crop failures cost millions in the emerging green industry, so researchers are seeking solutions. A recent $1 million grant from the USDA will help develop a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP) to prevent zooplankton contamination and promote sustainable algal cultivation.
The Iowa State University team created an interactive simulator, I-BOS, which replicates real-world biorefinery operations and includes features like video clips from actual plants and emergency scenarios. This tool can help train employees to operate a biorefinery more efficiently.
A US Department of Agriculture study suggests that dietary yeast extract has good potential as a non-antibiotic alternative for decreasing pathogens in organic turkey production. The researchers are looking for a balance between enhancing immune response and maintaining growth.
A UC Riverside entomology team proposes a pesticide-free method to increase egg production by targeting a damaging parasite. The strategy involves introducing a natural parasite that competes with and eliminates the more difficult-to-manage fowl mite, reducing egg losses by up to five percent.
Reduced tillage can increase weed populations, particularly perennial species like Canada thistle and bindweed, which are difficult to control. Integrated systems that include on-site or locally sourced manure can improve the economics of organic production.
Researchers at the USDA's Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory in Prosser, Wash., have found promising alternatives to traditional crops for bioenergy production. These include canola, camelina, soybeans, mustard, and switchgrass, which could help supply Washington State with renewable fuels.
Two Agave species have yielded significantly more than other biofuel crops in independent studies, making them a promising alternative for global energy needs. The crop's potential to thrive in semi-arid regions without significant land demands offers a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production method.
A recent University of Illinois study shows that sweet corn can be grown successfully with reduced atrazine use, but may not often be able to do so. The study found that weed control falls apart quickly when atrazine is removed, increasing the risk of yield losses.
A new extraction method using green chemistry has been developed to recover pigmented carotenoids from dried Capsicum fruit, with a recovery rate of 85% or greater. This process reduces the use of hazardous solvents and minimizes environmental risks, enabling a wider range of red-fruited cultivars to be used for pigment production.
A recent study evaluates integrated fruit production and organic fruit production systems for disease-resistant 'Liberty' apples. The research suggests that IFP could be widely implemented in the northeastern US, but OFP may be more feasible for small to midsized direct market operations due to higher costs.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found a new farming method that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions while increasing corn grain production. The method, called strip tillage, involves tilling fields in strips and applying fertilizer in bands, resulting in lower nitrous oxide emissions and higher yields.
A study investigated willow cut-stem producers' profiles, production practices and market value. Most growers sought to expand acreage and extend seasonal markets, with some citing limited scientific knowledge of the crop.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a long, non-coding RNA molecule, COLDAIR, that helps plants remember winter and bloom in spring. This process, known as vernalization, allows plants to recognize longer periods of cold and adjust their flowering schedules accordingly.
African leaders are set to adopt a new strategy for transforming the continent's agriculture and economy. The plan calls for increased investment in modern technologies, infrastructure expansion, and improved education, with a focus on women's empowerment and rural prosperity.
A new report from the Energy Biosciences Institute projects that developing cost-competitive algae biofuel production will require long-term research and development. Several non-fuel applications of algae could advance the industry, but achieving economic viability will require additional income streams.
A new assessment tool measures environmental performance of global aquaculture, revealing that large-scale farming still causes significant ecological damage. Despite best practices, industrial-scale aquaculture magnifies environmental degradation, especially in Asian countries with rapidly increasing production.