Articles tagged with Crop Production
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $210,000 grant to support ongoing integrated pest management programs across the state. The grant will focus on agronomic and specialty crops, pest control in houses and schools, and improving pollinator health.
The study analyzes 40 years of climate data to identify trends in six metrics impacting apple growth, including extreme heat and cold days. The top three largest apple producing counties in the US are among the most impacted, with Yakima County facing significant challenges.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that durian plants bloom approximately 50 days after a 15-day dry spell, affecting both grafted and seed-grown varieties. This study sheds light on the tropical ecosystems and can inform effective agricultural practices to predict flowering and manage harvests.
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. By engineering plants to control when and where these compounds are produced, researchers envision crops that can be stored without risk of toxicity.
Increasing Rubisco, the plant enzyme responsible for capturing atmospheric CO2, can complement existing efforts to enhance yields while research on complex innovations progresses. This approach may offer benefits sooner than other strategies, particularly in conditions with decreased CO2 concentration, such as drought or heat stress.
Scientists emphasize the need for gene editing and plant domestication to protect food supplies due to the climate crisis. Researchers propose two strategies: introducing genes that support resistance to environmental stress into existing crops or domesticate wild plants with lower yields but higher resilience.
A Curtin University study uses eDNA metabarcoding to track insect interactions with avocado flowers, detecting five times more unique pest species than digital video recordings. This method could help improve yields and make agricultural operations more efficient by identifying beneficial pollinators and pests.
A study has identified a gene called MdTCP11 that controls the growth of compact apple trees, also known as spur-type varieties. These trees exhibit increased fruit yield and require less pruning, making them ideal for modern orchards.
A study published by researchers from Göttingen University sheds light on the critical role of leaf phenology in trees providing shade and improving climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems. The research found that certain shade tree species can significantly influence productivity and environmental stability.
Frank Yin, a renowned agronomy researcher at UTIA, has been recognized with the prestigious 2024 American Society of Agronomy Fellowship. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to research and education in areas such as nutrient management, precision agriculture, and soil conservation.
A study on Spanish dehesas has developed a tool to model pastureland productivity and water stress, allowing for more efficient grazing management. During severe droughts, grass production can drop by up to 67%, with areas having limited slopes and moderate tree cover being the most productive.
A new study explores clauses in pollination contracts that could make them more appealing to beekeepers, including pesticide protection and cover crop options. Beekeepers valued these features, particularly those protecting against pesticide exposure, with discounts ranging from $6 to $8 per colony.
Researchers found that smaller water droplets (200 micrometers) stimulated healthier growth and resistance to pests and pathogens in tomato plants. The study suggests improved agricultural practices through water spray technologies.
The study reveals the genes that enable plants to make DMSP, allowing them to thrive in salty and drought conditions. This breakthrough could improve agricultural productivity in nitrogen-poor soils, making crops more sustainable in the face of global climate change.
A recent study explores the feasibility of non-wood cellulose-based textiles, offering a promising direction for the industry. The research highlights the potential of agricultural residues and dedicated fiber crops as viable alternatives to wood-derived pulp.
The invasive Apple Snail poses a significant threat to rice crops in Africa, particularly in Kenya, where it has already infested over 80% of the Mwea irrigation scheme. The study suggests that strict quarantine measures are necessary to curb the spread of the pest.
Researchers estimate that silage from maize, alfalfa, and sorghum crops can produce substantial amounts of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Chlorate addition may significantly lower N2O emissions, primarily due to denitrifying bacteria.
Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers will focus on automating repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labor. The goal is to increase automation adoption among nurseries, promoting sustainable growth in the rural communicates where the industry is predominantly located.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
Researchers have developed a biotechnology system that converts CO2 into protein and vitamin B9 using renewable energy. The system uses microbes to produce these essential nutrients, with the potential to address global challenges such as environmental conservation, food security, and public health.
A recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that growing maize to produce biomethane on drained peat emits up to three times more carbon dioxide than using natural gas. The production of crops like maize for bioenergy has rapidly increased, leading to a significant expansion of cultivated areas on drained peatlands.
Researchers at CABBI used genetic engineering to improve water use efficiency in climate-friendly C4 crops like sorghum and sugarcane, maximizing biomass production while minimizing water usage. The breakthrough could aid crops in mitigating drought stress and support the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.
A growing global understanding of drought's impacts, but significant gaps remain in affected communities and developing countries. Long-lasting droughts heighten awareness, while economic factors influence responsiveness to the issue.
A new study found that climate change is shifting the regions suitable for growing crops, putting pressure on timber production. As the land needed for producing vital resources becomes scarce, researchers warn of a looming issue that could lead to increased competition and conflict between agriculture and forestry.
A new study demonstrates a cost-effective method for producing cultivated meat, addressing scalability and cost challenges. The continuous manufacturing process enables daily biomass harvests and reduces costs by up to $6.20 per pound, aligning with organic chicken prices.
Researchers identify accessory genes linked to nitric oxide production that contribute to Foc TR4's virulence, offering potential treatments and strategies to slow its spread. Monocropping is also identified as a key factor in the disease's success, highlighting the importance of crop diversity.
A study in São Paulo state found that peer-to-peer certified organic farms had an average of 58.8 organic items, while conventionally certified farms had only 22.2. This greater diversity includes native and medicinal species, contributing to a more sustainable and biodiverse organic farming system.
The impacts of natural disasters on plant health can be devastating, with the potential for direct effects from disasters like pathogen or vector dispersal. Human-driven disasters also create conditions favorable to the spread of plant pathogens, leading to crop loss and disease spread.
Researchers investigate climate-resilient coffee cultivars due to projected decline in Arabica production. Robusta is found to be highly adaptable and grows well in high altitude regions, combining good production and flavor scores.
A new study provides detailed estimates of land use change emissions for six sustainable aviation fuel production pathways, highlighting the importance of crop location and management. The results show that jatropha and miscanthus have lower DLUC emissions, while soybeans may not meet CORSIA's sustainability criteria.
Researchers are developing solutions to reduce nitrogen fertilizer-related emissions and accelerate drought-resistant tea varieties. The trials will inform a new tea typology, enabling accurate carbon footprint calculation across the industry.
A new study reveals that LGBTQ+ farmers are over three times more likely to experience depression and suicidal intent compared to the general population. The research also found that queer farmers face specific challenges, including concerns about identity validation and access to mental health resources.
Researchers at NUS discovered a novel mechanism in plants that removes excess chloride ions from roots, enhancing salinity tolerance. This discovery could improve the salinity tolerance of crop plants in the future.
A new study by RIKEN CSRS shows that biomass from purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer, effective as inorganic synthetic fertilizers but with lower environmental side effects. The biomass boosts plant growth without altering soil pH or salinity.
A study found that smallholder farmers in Tanzania used more fertilizer and had higher crop yields after an intervention, but the benefits did not last. The researchers attribute the lack of long-term adoption to liquidity constraints and structural factors such as fertilizer availability.
Researchers in Italy have successfully monitored invasive stink bugs using drones and AI, reducing disruption and improving data capture. The system achieved a 97% detection accuracy, enabling precise forecasting models for integrated pest management strategies.
Global greenhouse cultivation has increased rapidly, with Asia accounting for 60.4% of global coverage. The practice provides opportunities for local food security and poverty alleviation, but raises environmental concerns such as water pollution and energy consumption.
Researchers identified an ideal small-grain gene, GSE3, and used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit it in male sterile lines, achieving fully mechanized hybrid seed production. This breakthrough enables significant yield improvements and enhances food security.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
Shifting excess nitrogen from rich countries to poor ones could increase crop production by 12%, with moderate/food insecure regions seeing significant gains in both fertilizer use and food output. Current levels of production could be maintained with only 53-68% of current nitrogen used through redistribution.
Researchers used pea, carrot, and tomato plants to simulate Martian agriculture. Intercropping emerged as a promising method to optimize fresh food production in future colonies.
A team at the University of Córdoba has developed a methodology that defines cultivable space between two-axis photovoltaic modules for agrivoltaic production. The model reveals 74% of land is cultivable by crops less than 1.4m high, offering a sustainable energy and agricultural solution.
A new international study reveals that fluctuating coffee prices have a significant negative effect on the mental well-being of Vietnamese farmers. The study found that price volatility leads to increased stress, anxiety, and reduced social capital among farmers.
A new scientific review published in Sustainable Production and Consumption explores how to accurately assess the carbon footprint of coffee farming. The study provides guidance on measuring green coffee's environmental impact, including identifying representative measurements and applying land use change modeling.
A research team from the IBMCP has identified a gene called FUL that regulates the duration of flowering in crops like peas, leading to increased seed production. This finding could provide a biotechnological tool to prolong reproductive phases and boost yields in leguminous crops.
A new study from the University of Illinois recommends redistributing soybean testing sites to better represent the growing environment and improve crop resilience. The researchers analyzed long-term climate data and records of soybean trials to develop two new sets of maps that would help breeders strategize test site placement.
The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health is leading a five-year, $8.5 million cooperative agreement grant to support underserved farmers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. The project aims to increase agricultural production, provide working capital, and create farm-to-institution markets.
Researchers discover that methane sulphonic acid (MSA) hydrolysis can produce higher yields of xylose and activated carbon from hemp seed hulls compared to traditional methods. The use of MSA also leads to the formation of high surface area activated carbon with improved delignification properties.
Researchers used Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to create synthetic weed images with high accuracy and realism. The CA-GAN model demonstrated superior performance in generating detailed plant features, such as leaf textures and shapes, while maintaining distinctiveness of each weed species.
A new study published in The Plant Cell has identified a genetic element controlling cold-induced sweetening (CIS) in potatoes. CIS is a major production problem for the potato processing industry, causing undesirable dark brown-black color when potatoes are fried.
A new disinfection technology uses low-temperature plasma to sterilize nutrient solutions in hydroponic farming, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This innovation promotes environmentally friendly crop cultivation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers suggest replacing 50% of animal products with alternative proteins by 2050 to unlock vast energy and negative emission potentials via BECCS. This transition could free up large agricultural areas, generating enough renewable energy equivalent to today's coal-generated power while removing substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.
A new study warns that climate change could reduce global wheat production by 13% by 2050 due to the spread of the fungal disease wheat blast. The affected regions will include South America, southern Africa and Asia, where up to 75% of total wheat acreage could be at risk.
Researchers in Italy cultivate four species of microgreens with bespoke nutritional profiles, providing a blueprint for soilless cultivation of nutritionally enriched plants. The study successfully produces microgreens with up to 14 times higher iodine content and 45% reduced potassium levels, catering to specific dietary requirements.
The study explores the impact of light conditions on plant hydraulic conductance and water demands, revealing adaptive strategies for improved crop productivity. Shaded leaves exhibit higher water-use efficiency due to reduced transpiration, offering insights into optimizing agricultural practices.
A study published on Nature Food highlights the potential of using by-products in animal diets to save land and water resources. The research suggests that substituting energy-intensive crops with agricultural by-products could reduce competition for natural resources and improve food security.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
Research reveals a single major gene controlling resistance to S-metolachlor in the Stanford, Illinois resistant population of waterhemp. This finding is significant due to the difficulty in studying weed resistance to soil-applied herbicides.
Plant scientists have discovered a sophisticated RNA defense system that plants use to attack gray mold cells, sending mRNA molecules that disrupt fungal cellular processes. This innovative approach could lead to the development of eco-friendly fungicides with minimal environmental impact and no harm to humans or animals.