Articles tagged with Crop Production
A North Carolina State University study shows that yam seeds wrapped in a biodegradable paper made from banana fibers and cardboard grow larger and more abundantly than those without the paper. The 'wrap-and-plant' method also reduces post-harvest loss by minimizing nematode pest effects.
George Mason University researchers are developing a digital twin system to provide farmers with real-time data on crop conditions, soil, weather, and markets. The CropSmart Digital Twin (CSDT) aims to support the USDA's goal of increasing U.S. agricultural production by 40% while reducing its environmental footprint by half by 2050.
New study reveals that diseased plant cells produce more proteins before dying, alerting healthy cells to boost immunity and prevent disease spread. This 'deathbed rally' helps the rest of the plant stay healthy, paving the way for potential disease resistance strategies.
Scientists have genetically modified potatoes and tomatoes to produce betacyanin, a pigment with anti-inflammatory properties. The transgenic vegetables demonstrated enhanced accumulation of the pigment, which showed improved effects in reducing inflammation in macrophage-like cells and murine models of colitis.
Carbon emissions from fertilizers could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge. The study found that two-thirds of emissions occur after application, highlighting the need for efficient fertilizer use and innovative solutions to mitigate emissions.
Researchers at the University of Turku found that reducing pesticide pollution and harvesting intensity can increase crop yields and contribute to climate change mitigation. By optimizing carbon sequestration and storage in soils, farmers can improve plant resilience and productivity, while minimizing environmental harm.
A new webcast on Grow: Plant Health Exchange presents an overview of the physiological drivers of yield in cotton. The presentation discusses factors influencing each driver and results from research with advanced breeding lines.
The study found that almost 92% of Africa's maize growing areas support year-round growth of fall armyworm. Almost 95% of the crop is also deemed climatically suitable for fall armyworm, with multiple pests posing significant risks.
A Cambridge-led consortium has received $35m to engineer plants to utilize naturally occurring micro-organism interactions, enhancing nutrient uptake and increasing crop yields. This approach aims to revolutionize smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a sustainable solution for food production.
Anu, a Purdue University startup, received a $970,993 NSF SBIR grant to further develop its innovative Rotary Aeroponic Cultivation Chamber. The technology aims to increase yields while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact through multispectral photomorphogenesis and deep-learning algorithms.
A study by researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated the effect of mixing wheat and faba beans on pollinating insects. They found that areas with mixed crops were visited equally often by foraging bees as those with single crops. The findings suggest that this mixture may counteract pollinator decline.
Researchers have characterized the tar spot pathogen on a molecular level, revealing its virulence molecules target specific plant organelles. This study advances our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and contributes to developing disease control strategies.
Researchers developed a bioeconomic model to overcome the cost barrier of high-density planting for weed suppression. The study found distinct physiological differences in crops that impact the balance needed to achieve a cost-neutral result.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered that volatile repellents containing ammonia and amines can be used to combat insect-borne diseases by disrupting their sense of smell and taste. The research found that these compounds can silence olfactory neurons in mosquitoes, preventing them from detecting human skin odor.
A study from Cornell University found that broccoli grows abnormally in warmer temperatures, resembling cauliflower. Researchers identified the genetic basis of this phenomenon, revealing that DNA methylation plays a key role in regulating floral development and causing abnormal growth.
A global study reveals that around 50% of soil-available phosphorus worldwide comes from mineral fertilizers, with significant regional disparities. The findings highlight the need for sustainable agricultural practices to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.
The UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture project is studying six niche crops: cut flowers, persimmons, blueberries, elderberries, garlic, and microgreens. The project aims to provide education and outreach to help Tennessee producers make informed decisions about marketing and sales.
Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertiliser, finding a transition is possible and may increase food security. However, alternative methods have advantages and disadvantages, with the key to success likely being a combination of approaches.
Researchers developed AI-powered software to measure and classify pacu fish, enabling breeders to select animals with higher fillet yield and faster weight gain. The system uses deep learning and can recognize different parts of the fish even in challenging environments.
Researchers have developed an edible plant-based ink derived from food waste to create cost-effective scaffolds for culturing meat. This innovation could significantly reduce the cost of large-scale cultured meat production, making it more affordable and environmentally friendly.
The global food system exerts significant pressure on the environment and climate, with five countries accounting for almost half of the impact. Locally produced food is often the most environmentally friendly option, but production methods can vary greatly between countries.
Researchers at FAU Harbor Branch Institute found that Florida pompano larvae can be grown in salinities as low as 10 parts per thousand without adverse effects. The study showed that growth, fatty acid profiles, and transcriptome responses were normal across different salinities.
A simple breeding experiment identified genes that promote cooperation and higher yields in plant populations. Plants with specific alleles were found to produce 15% more biomass when grown in close proximity, while reducing root competition.
Research reveals that sweet corn yields significantly decrease with extreme heat during flowering, especially in rainfed fields. Irrigation may help mitigate yield loss, but water scarcity could worsen climate-related challenges.
Researchers developed disease-resistant maize genotypes for smallholder farmers, increasing safe yields and reducing aflatoxin contamination. The findings offer a promising strategy to protect food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers at CABBI used unmanned aerial vehicles with machine learning methods to select the best candidate genotypes in miscanthus breeding programs. The new method leverages high-resolution aerial imagery and three-dimensional neural networks to estimate crop traits such as flowering time, height, and biomass production.
Researchers discover chemical inhibitor TIS108 significantly lowers Striga infestation without affecting plant growth or grain yield. The study shows canonical strigolactones contribute to seed germination in root parasitic weeds and play a major role in stimulating invasion by Striga.
A recent study found that companies' zero-deforestation supply chain commitments have reduced tree clearance in the Brazilian Amazon by only 1.6% between 2006 and 2015. Despite this, over 50% of soy-suitable forests in Brazil remain unprotected. Experts call for stronger regulations to effectively combat deforestation.
The study focuses on reducing insects and pathogens that threaten crops, with manure serving as a potential solution. Researchers will investigate the most effective ways to apply manure to improve soil health and plant resistance to insect pests.
A new study found that increasingly complex mathematical models can produce more uncertain estimates, limiting their usefulness for informing real-world policy decisions. Researchers recommend reassessing the drive to create detailed models and suggest calculating the model's effective dimensions before adding complexity.
Researchers predict that reduced Ukrainian grain exports due to the war will lead to increased food insecurity and higher carbon dioxide emissions. The study estimates a potential increase in global agricultural land use of 16.3-45 million acres, driving up carbon emissions by 527-1.6 billion metric tons.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.
A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are investigating maize roots for organic and regenerative systems to optimize carbon storage, resource use efficiency, and productivity. They aim to develop corn varieties that provide ecosystem services even under changing weather scenarios.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
A study by the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories reveals that synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers estimate that the supply chain for these fertilisers is responsible for emitting the equivalent of 1.13 gigatonnes of CO₂ in 2018.
Researchers at Aalto University suggest using crop residues and by-products in livestock and aquaculture production to free up human-usable material. This could increase the global food supply by up to 13% without increasing resource use or requiring major dietary changes.
Researchers have discovered a key link between warmer early winters and reduced crop yields in oilseed rape plants. The study found that colder temperatures during late November/early December promote faster growth and higher yields, while warmer temperatures result in lower yields.
Researchers found that models using soil moisture explain 30-120% more year-to-year variation in yield than those relying on rainfall, revealing a critical link between temperature and water supply for crops. Extreme heat is less damaging to crop yields than previously estimated, while drought and flooding sensitivity increases.
The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative aims to expand climate-smart commodity markets and leverage greenhouse gas benefits. Project partners will provide technical and financial assistance to producers to implement climate-smart production practices.
A systematic review of 82 scientific publications found that palm oil boosts local economies and poverty reduction while exacerbating social inequalities. Sustainable palm oil production practices facilitate achievement of SDGs like quality education and access to clean water.
Researchers at UTIA are using a $800,000 grant from Shell to investigate the potential of winter oilseed crops as a sustainable solution for agriculture and biofuels. The project aims to identify top oilseed crops for the Mid-South and Southeast regions and develop best management practices to maximize outputs.
A recent analysis by researcher Jacob van Etten found that the Green Revolution's narrative omits institutional change and neglects ethnic tensions dominating market exchange. The study highlights the importance of markets and institutions in agricultural development, contradicting the traditional technology-centric view.
A team of researchers identified the clubroot pathogen in Mexico, a crucial discovery for the country's broccoli production and global supply. The study used a detection methodology developed during Covid-19, allowing for accurate identification and potential future outbreaks.
Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.
The DREAM project aims to optimize indoor production by studying plant needs and providing cultivation protocols for better resource management. The researchers will develop new sensors to interrogate plants and algae under natural-like light, allowing for customized lighting tools that adapt energy supply to plant needs.
A new approach to composting in agriculture could improve crop yields, soil health, and divert biowaste from landfills, addressing global food security concerns. The study estimates PCS could boost annual global production of major cereal crops by 96 million tonnes.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed a method to produce crocins, a key ingredient in saffron, using a common garden plant. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable and efficient production of these compounds for pharmaceuticals, food coloring, and flavor additives.
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism that lowers cadmium accumulation in rice without affecting its quality and yield. The duplicated OsNramp5 gene increases the uptake of manganese, competing with cadmium for translocation to shoots, reducing its accumulation.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has revealed that PIF7 and auxin proteins accelerate plant growth when exposed to warm temperatures and canopy shade. This discovery will help scientists predict how plants respond to climate change and increase crop productivity, enabling the development of more resilient crops.
A Rutgers-led study estimates that a full-scale US-Russia nuclear war would cause global crop production to decline by up to 90% and lead to widespread starvation. This could result in over 5 billion people dying of hunger, with severe disruptions in global food markets.
Scientists have found that Anastatus japonicus can be efficiently produced for biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug on kiwifruit crops. The study suggests that large-scale rearing and field release testing are needed to evaluate efficacy and non-target effects.
Researchers found that adjusting sowing dates for wheat in eastern India can increase production by 69% while maintaining rice productivity. The study provides new recommendations for rice sowing dates and cultivar types to accommodate earlier wheat planting.
The study proposes the establishment of local Biological Control Agent (BCA) hubs to fight the devastating fall armyworm pest in Bangladesh. The hubs would be owner-managed by farm entrepreneurs and provide nucleus culture and technical support, allowing for non-linear business models that reverse low uptake of safer-to-use BCAs.
A new study suggests that reducing sugar consumption through sugar taxation policies can have significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Redirecting existing sugar cropland to alternative uses like biofuel production could lead to emissions reductions of up to 54.3 MtCO2e per year.
A University of Illinois study found tomatoes in Chicago backyard gardens have low levels of lead, making them relatively safe for consumption. However, improper soil handling and lack of washing can still pose health risks. Researchers recommend minimizing dust with heavy mulch and careful fruit washing to safely grow tomatoes.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have created the first comprehensive annotation of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) in four mustard species. The study identifies locations across all four genomes that encoded lincRNAs, proposed functions for them, and confirmed the function of some lincRNAs involved in germination. Th...
A study published in Ecology Letters found that pollinators stabilize crop yields, reducing variation by 32%, which can help mitigate supply issues and market shocks. This finding highlights the importance of preserving pollinators for global food security.
A team of researchers has identified a single nucleotide mutation that confers resistance to cassava mosaic disease, which causes significant yield losses worldwide. This discovery has implications for improving cassava yields and sustaining farmer income, and could also shed light on disease-resistance in other major crops.