Articles tagged with Crop Production
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.
A study published in Nature Communications found that planting diverse crops reduces the number of microorganisms in the soil that eat plants, leading to higher yields. This is because specialized pathogens are suppressed in diverse communities, allowing for greater use of biomass.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Precision Livestock Farming aims to empower graduate students and early-career researchers with machine learning, statistical tools, and database systems. The school will provide a platform for them to process vast amounts of data and develop a multidisciplinary approach to PLF.
Researchers investigated how urbanization affects interactions between plants and pollinators in a tropical city. They found that seasonal changes play a crucial role in shaping these interactions, leading to significant changes in plant-pollinator networks.
A new study from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences examines how Illinois corn and soybean producers make marketing decisions. The research found that farms with lower financial positions tend to store more grain, while bigger and older farms have lower storage costs.
A study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture proposes a framework to characterise the unique properties of cacao beans in the Buenaventura region. The research highlights the benefits of establishing Denominations of Origin for cacao, including higher market prices, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices.
A new analysis by Aalto University reveals that industrial agriculture is highly sensitive to shocks in agricultural inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The study models the impacts of these shocks on crop yields and food availability globally, identifying high-risk areas for the greatest yield losses.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a method to produce ammonia without high temperatures, pressures, and infrastructure. The new technique enhances energy efficiency and makes environmentally friendly ammonia economically feasible.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a single major gene controlling waterhemp's resistance to S-metolachlor, a widely used soil-applied herbicide. This finding poses a significant challenge for farmers, as it increases the risk of spread and limits effective weed management options.
Researchers have created high-resolution maps showing the potential for biochar to sequester large amounts of carbon, with Bhutan and India leading the way in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that biochar production can remove up to one billion metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $1.6 million to Emory University researchers to develop predictive models for farmers to adapt to climate change in Georgia, Iowa and Ohio. The project aims to create a public online tool to explore possible futures of agriculture at regional and state levels.
A new study found that diverse plant species mixtures increase plant productivity, invasion resistance, and soil nitrogen levels. Multispecies mixtures also drive different functions, with legumes benefiting productivity and water availability.
A new study reveals that tropical crops relying on insect pollinators are under threat from climate change and agricultural activities. The research found significant declines in insect pollinator abundance and richness, with the tropics being the most vulnerable region.
Researchers found that globally abandoned cropland could feed up to 476 million people per year if recultivated and help pull planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through reforestation. The study highlights the potential of this often-neglected resource in supporting both food security and climate change mitigation.
North Carolina State University researchers successfully transferred an important gene from one compartment of a plant cell to another, producing tobacco plants that lack pollen and viable seeds. The findings could lead to better ways of producing hybrid seeds to maximize crop productivity.
A new Danish study measured nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer materials in spring barley, finding that commercial fertilizers emit less N2O than previously assumed. Organic fertilizers, including livestock manure and digestates, emitted more N2O on average.
The study found that fruits pollinated by animals are 23% higher in quality, with benefits independent of geographical regions and pollinator species. This suggests that crop quality depends significantly on the presence of pollinating animals.
Researchers from Okayama University used CNNs to estimate rice yield from pre-harvest photographs, achieving accuracy of 68-69%. The model highlighted the importance of panicles in yield estimation and showed promise for monitoring rice productivity at regional scales.
Researchers developed a bioelectrochemical system that efficiently converts CO2 to butyric acid and then upgrades it to butanol, a valuable biofuel. The process produces high yields with low energy requirements, offering promise for sustainable chemical production.
A USTC study reveals the Yangshao culture period's dominant crops were broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, and rice, with millets occupying a main position in agricultural structure. Climate change may have driven this shift around 6400 years ago.
Researchers developed a smart agrochemical delivery platform using biomimetic mineralization, which improves crop yield and fruit zinc content. The platform, named MiZIFs, uses zeolitic imidazolate frameworks to encapsulate a synthetic growth regulator, promoting plant growth and stress tolerance.
Researchers discovered that female gametes in flowering plants can still attract pollen tubes and produce seeds even without synergid cells. The central cell produces new types of pollen tube attractants, SALs, which are essential for fertilization recovery.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a mutation in the MdLAZY1A gene responsible for the 'weeping' growth pattern in apple trees. This finding could lead to more productive and labor-saving orchards by allowing branches to grow downwards, thereby increasing resource allocation towards reproductive growth.
A study published in Environmental Chemistry found that over a third of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use is breaking UK government emissions thresholds. Uninhibited urea fertilizers are the worst offenders, emitting up to 77% of applied nitrogen into the air.
Researchers found melatonin reduces chilling injury symptoms and membrane leakage in cold-stored fruits and vegetables, maintaining freshness. Melatonin is a safe alternative to hazardous chemical treatments without adverse effects on consumer health.
Researchers have identified a new trichothecene, NX, produced by Fusarium graminearum, which contributes to the pathogen's ability to infect wheat and spread disease. Deleting the gene responsible for NX production reduces toxin levels and disease severity, providing potential control methods.
The US canned and frozen corn industry is struggling in the Midwest due to climate change, with rainfed production areas experiencing significant declines. The analysis also found a strong relationship between extreme temperatures and sweet corn yield loss.
Researchers found that cultivating reed grass on undrained peat soil or wet meadows can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional potato crop rotation. This approach also offers potential economic benefits and can help restore the original ecosystem with high biodiversity.
Research by Politecnico di Milano finds offshore wind farms significantly reduce climate change impacts, with a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. The study also highlights the importance of life cycle analysis for assessing environmental sustainability of renewable energy technologies.
A meta-analysis reveals that birds generally have a net benefit on production for some crops by controlling pests. Non-lethal measures to deter birds are effective in reducing crop losses. The study found that around 10% of bird species consume crops, with 65% showing a positive effect on woody crop yield.