Articles tagged with Crop Production
A new study by Newcastle University found that grazing cows on organic farms in the UK produce milk with significantly higher levels of nutritionally desirable fatty acids and antioxidants. The research also identified a direct link between the dairy cows' diets and the quality of their milk.
Researchers have developed new techniques for optimal soil moisture monitoring under drip irrigation systems, helping growers prevent over-irrigation and improve grape yields. By identifying the most suitable locations for soil sampling, vineyard managers can reduce water waste and enhance plant cold-hardiness.
A study by Drs. Sophia Kamenidou and Todd J. Cavins found that silicon supplementation improved horticultural traits in greenhouse-produced sunflowers, such as increased stem diameter and flower quality, but also caused growth abnormalities at high concentrations.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new source for biofuels in cyanobacteria, which can be grown on non-agricultural lands using salty water. The microbe produces cellulose and sugars that can be converted into ethanol, offering a potential alternative to traditional sources such as corn and sugarcane.
The University of Tennessee has received a $26 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop biomass conversion technology. The grant will support research on converting biomass crops into fuels and other products, with the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable biobased economy in the state.
Scientists evaluate the impact of grain-based ethanol production on water quality in the US. The study recommends advanced conservation measures to minimize nutrient losses from corn production, but a viable cellulosic ethanol industry could provide water quality benefits.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and The Nature Conservancy found that turning native ecosystems into biofuel farms releases 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels. This 'carbon debt' must be paid before biofuels can mitigate global warming.
Researchers compared three strawberry production systems to determine consumer preference, finding that cold-climate plasticulture and advanced matted row systems were most popular. Consumers were willing to pay more for fresh berries from their preferred system, with quality characteristics like firmness differing among the production...
A study by Chengyan Yue found that consumers prefer conventionally grown apples with minimal blemishes due to their better appearance. Organic apple producers must weigh the trade-off between cosmetic damage and production costs in their decisions.
A new crop simulation model can predict the timing, quality, and weight of sweet corn crops, addressing seasonal production limitations and perishability issues. The model has significant promise for improving sweet corn production, with potential applications for producers, technical consultants, and the agricultural industry.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has introduced two new commentaries on biofuel byproducts and ethanol production, highlighting the potential risks of invasive pests in dedicated feedstock crops. The commentaries aim to provide a process to quantify and minimize this risk.
The international rice research community is addressing the problems facing irrigated rice farmers, including land loss, water competition, labor shortages, and increased pest and disease issues. IRRI research has shown that farmers can increase production by up to 15% through better fertilization timing and reduced water usage.
The Great Plains' stability is threatened by demographic shifts, environmental degradation, and economic pressures. Despite increased crop productivity, the region faces challenges such as soil erosion, high nitrate runoff, and declining aquifers.
A new Illinois-based study has found that Miscanthus is more productive than switchgrass in terms of biomass production, with Miscanthus gaining 33% more carbon and having a greater leaf area. This research has implications for the development of sustainable bioenergy crops.
A new study finds that climate change and temperature fluctuations significantly correlate with warfare frequency in eastern China over the last millennium. The research reveals that cooling temperatures impact agriculture, leading to shortages of essential resources and potentially triggering armed conflicts.
Researchers are testing optimal conditions for microalgae growth in outdoor settings to optimize large-volume cultures for biofuel production. The warm Florida climate makes large-scale production a possibility, and the process has potential to remove carbon dioxide from the air.
According to MSU scientist Bruce Dale, cellulosic ethanol makes it possible to feed the country's population with less land, as animal feed production can be integrated into biofuel production. This will reduce pressure on our land resources and increase raw material yield from one acre of land.
The AAAS symposium aims to address the environmental effects of large-scale livestock operations, including land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Researchers will present findings on how to develop policies and practices to reduce adverse effects while ensuring food security and preserving natural resources.
Producing ethanol from corn grain can release large amounts of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. However, careful management can minimize these emissions and improve the overall greenhouse gas profile of ethanol.
The article discusses the limitations of industrial agriculture and the potential benefits of biodiversity in farming. Studies have shown that diverse, synergistic farms can increase net farm income by up to 108% while generating environmental and social benefits.
The European Union's changed policy will negatively affect dairy farmers' income, especially small farms, leading to a decrease in the number of farms. This will result in the disappearance of many small farms, allowing remaining farms to expand and increase production.
Researchers at MIT envision a future where cellulosic ethanol becomes a significant part of the US energy supply due to its abundance and favorable energy balance. Current challenges include improving plant material production per acre and fermentation efficiency.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will be a key partner in the new Energy Biosciences Institute, which aims to explore the potential benefits of using corn crop residues and other herbaceous perennials as fuel sources. Researchers hope to create a sustainable and efficient process for producing high-quality plant biomass.
A team of five land-grant universities, led by Texas Cooperative Extension, will work together to strengthen agricultural extension and training in Iraq. The $5.3 million project aims to improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens by building their agricultural capacity.
Researchers at Iowa State University have made a breakthrough in breaking down cellulose, the tough structure of plant cell walls, to release simple sugars fermented into ethanol. The compound has shown promise in breaking down up to 95% of cellulose, paving the way for potential improvements in ethanol production.
Researchers at Montana State University are investigating the potential of producing biofuels from various straws, hays, and silages in Montana. They aim to find more efficient methods for converting biomass into sugars and fermenting them into fuel, with the goal of making these new ethanol production methods competitive.
Researchers found crop yields are running at about 50 percent below conclusions drawn from enclosed test conditions, contradicting previous assumptions of increased yield due to CO2 levels. The study highlights the need for changes in production strategies to avoid global food shortages.
A new study published in the journal Science found that future greenhouse gas conditions are likely to result in lower crop yields, particularly for C3 crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans. The researchers used open-air field trials involving five major food crops grown under carbon-dioxide levels projected for the year 2050.
Two Brazilian soil scientists, Edson Lobato and A. Colin McClung, along with Alysson Paolinelli, the former Minister of Agriculture, will be recognized for their contributions to transforming Brazil's Cerrado region into an agricultural powerhouse through innovative soil fertility research and policy implementation. The $250,000 World ...
A recent study by UC Berkeley researchers suggests that ethanol can be a good substitute for gasoline, offering substantial energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The study analyzes six high-profile studies of ethanol and finds that producing ethanol from corn uses significantly less petroleum than producing gasoline.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that producing ethanol and biodiesel from plant biomass requires more energy than the fuel produced, leading to significant fossil energy input. The use of these fuels contributes to air, water, and soil pollution, as well as global warming.
A recent study using 'ecological footprint' accounting found that the US benefits from using fuel ethanol do not outweigh its significant environmental impacts. The research suggests that relying on ethanol to fuel the automobile fleet would require enormous areas of corn agriculture, outweighing any potential energy gains.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that USDA corn production forecasts were more accurate than private forecasts during most periods, but had limited impact on prices. Private market forecasts improved significantly since the mid-1980s, outperforming USDA forecasts in August and other months.
A team of UCR researchers led by Daniel R. Gallie found that reducing ethylene production through ACC synthase increases drought tolerance in corn plants. The study suggests a promising approach to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites offer near-real-time lake water height data for 350 of the world's largest lakes. The US Department of Agriculture uses this information to manage irrigation and forecast crop production, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional water level gauges.
Scientists have successfully grafted primate testes into mice, resulting in the rapid production of fertile sperm. This breakthrough could preserve genetic material from endangered nonhuman primates and offer reproductive options to men rendered infertile by cancer treatments.
Researchers found that antibiotics improve daily growth and reduce swine death rates, resulting in higher profit returns for farmers. The study suggests that a ban on antibiotic use would lead to sharp increases in production costs.
The US soybean industry is shifting away from mature markets like the US, with companies investing in new growth areas like Brazil and Argentina. This change is driven by weak intellectual property rights and access to Roundup Ready technology, which has accelerated soybean production expansion.
A team of UC scientists discovered a gene that controls the production of methyl halides in terrestrial plants, contributing to ozone destruction. The HOL gene, found in Arabidopsis and other plants, is likely a common trait among all terrestrial plants.
A Dutch study found that high-producing dairy cows were not more prone to mastitis than lower-producing counterparts, challenging a common assumption. Researchers infected cows with E. coli and monitored disease progression over three weeks, revealing no significant difference between the two groups.
Illinois growers face significant economic losses due to Phytophthora capsici, a disease affecting pumpkins, peppers, and other crops. A crop can be lost in a week without intervention.
Research in Italy has successfully engineered seedless eggplants using genetic modification, producing 30-35% more fruit than conventional varieties. The genetically modified eggplants have improved productivity, reduced cultivation costs, and can thrive in cooler conditions.
Borlaug's work in Mexico led to the development of high-yield, low-pesticide wheat, increasing crop production by 7000% in just a few decades. His efforts have since expanded to sub-Saharan Africa and India, helping small-scale farmers adopt improved agricultural techniques
University of Florida scientists are helping North Florida growers produce a crop in November by tricking strawberry plants into acting like spring has arrived. The process involves putting young strawberry plants in refrigerated trailers for about two weeks, making them think they've been through the required winter chilling period.
A new study suggests that cleaning up air pollution in China could increase crop production by up to one-third. Heavy regional haze scatters and absorbs solar radiation, reducing plant growth and food production. Researchers estimate that China loses around 10-30% of its crop production to haze.
Pharming Healthcare Inc. plans to invest $37 million in Virginia to produce Human Factor VIII and Fibrinogen in the milk of transgenic animals, treating patients with hemophilia and controlling bleeding in surgery and trauma. The company's production techniques are partially based on technologies developed at Virginia Tech.