Articles tagged with Crop Production
A new study by Oregon State University has found that combining solar panels and lamb grazing increases land productivity. The research compared lamb growth and pasture production in pastures with solar panels to traditional open pastures, finding less overall but higher quality forage in the solar pastures.
A recent study from Spain suggests that deficit irrigation can be a sustainable practice for almond production in the long term. Despite significant investments and water scarcity, the study found that trees subjected to severe deficit irrigation maintained stable productivity over six years.
A new metric, STAR, measures the impact of human activities on biodiversity, revealing that conserving 9% of land could reduce global extinction risk by half. By abating threats in key areas, companies and countries can report reductions in species loss and contribute to the global biodiversity target.
Researchers at KAIST successfully produced carminic acid from glucose in engineered Escherichia coli, overcoming the need for complex purification processes and protein contaminants. The development of a generally applicable C-glucosyltransferase also enables the production of other valuable natural products.
A new study by the University of Illinois reveals that climate change will impact Colombia's coffee production significantly, with low-altitude regions facing negative effects and high-altitude areas experiencing improved yields. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and coffee growers, highlighting the need for regi...
Assistant Professor Xin Zhang received a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how to align stakeholder interests with nitrogen reduction goals. The research aims to improve decision-making and develop innovative solutions for sustainable nitrogen management.
Research suggests that palm farmers in Indonesia can significantly increase their yields by implementing improved management practices, such as improved harvest methods, better weed control, and plant nutrition. This could lead to an 68% increase in palm oil production on existing plantation areas without expanding into new ecosystems.
A recent study assesses global market flows and shows that biodiversity conservation is essential to sustain consumption patterns. The researchers discovered a strong link between the expansion of cropland in developing countries and loss of pollinator habitats, highlighting the need for collaborative governance strategies to balance i...
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
A Cornell University scientist is receiving a USDA grant to study the relationship between insulin, ceramide, and lactation in dairy cows. The goal of the research is to identify mechanisms that control insulin resistance in early lactation, with potential benefits for improving milk production efficiency and animal health.
A University of Michigan study finds that groundwater depletion could significantly impact Indian agriculture, with potential losses of up to 20% in winter cropped acreage nationwide. The researchers estimate that even partial replacement with canal irrigation may not be enough to maintain current production levels.
Researchers aim to understand and analyze the interconnectedness of these life-sustaining systems by investigating how nitrogen flows through agricultural production systems. The goal is to improve nitrogen-use efficiency and address challenges such as water scarcity and energy demands.
The study reveals chemical traces of grapes in medieval amphorae, suggesting a prosperous wine trade across the Mediterranean. The discovery implies that the Islamic community in Sicily produced and exported wine, contradicting previous assumptions about their consumption habits.
Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis are developing crop plants with improved photosynthesis, aiming to increase Australian cereal crop production and address climate change. The center has identified promising germplasm lines and published over 300 scientific papers on the topic.
A new study improves a computer modelling system to predict the impact of ozone on soybean production, estimating damage at 10% yield reduction for normal ozone levels and less than half that for extreme levels. The research aims to inform policy decisions to limit surface ozone levels.
A Basque cheese researcher warns that the decline in grazing practices poses significant threats to the production of Idiazabal cheese. The Lactiker group is working to improve yield while maintaining high quality through various technological and biochemical processes.
Researchers at MIT have successfully grown structures made of wood-like plant cells in a lab, hinting at the possibility of more efficient biomaterials production. The team demonstrated the concept using zinnia leaves, growing rigid, wood-like structures by controlling the levels of two plant hormones.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney create a sustainable method for producing green ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and the global transition to a hydrogen economy.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that large-scale land acquisitions intended to boost food security had little to no benefit, instead threatening local food security in some areas. The study analyzed satellite imagery, agricultural surveys, and household dietary datasets across four continents between...
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara offer approaches for sustainable expansion of the US seafood industry, citing challenges from trade wars and COVID-19. They recommend 'precise and strategic fisheries reforms' to address complexities and promote growth.
A landmark agreement, the Amazon Soy Moratorium, has prevented thousands of square kilometers of deforestation over its first decade, with no negative impact on agricultural growth. The policy's success can be attributed to cooperation among private companies, NGOs, and government agencies.
A recent study by UFZ researchers highlights the importance of both crop diversity and temporal production patterns in ensuring food security. The analysis reveals that countries with high production stability and asynchrony, such as India and China, are better equipped to mitigate the impact of global market uncertainties.
A recent study by the CMCC Foundation suggests that Australia could become a major hub for hazelnut production due to its favorable climate. Climate change is expected to increase hazelnut yields in southeastern Australia, with potential increases of 18-52% projected between 2020 and 2039.
Researchers at the University of York have created a new modified wheat variety that produces grains up to 12% bigger than conventional varieties without decreasing grain numbers. This breakthrough could help meet the increasing global food demand, especially considering the need for a 50% increase in production by 2030.
A US study found a decline in water usage for most crops and livestock production due to climate change and shifts in consumer demand. Water use decreased by 8.3% for irrigation, but increased for oilseed crops driven by international supply-chain linkages.
The UTIA Smith Center will partner with the Royal University of Agriculture to improve food and nutritional security in Cambodia through research, education, and training. The program aims to increase agricultural production, enhance soil and water quality, and support small-scale farmers.
A Cornell University-led team is developing more sustainable organic farming practices that balance productivity, environmental impact, and growers' quality of life. The project uses cover crops like rye to suppress weeds and reduce soil degradation.
Researchers from Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that even protected biodiversity hotspots are losing significant areas to agriculture and urban sprawl. Over a quarter century, the world's most biologically diverse places lost an area three times the size of Sweden.
A new effort led by UTIA aims to help nursery growers adopt automation technologies, addressing the industry's labor shortage. The LEAP Team will identify labor constraints and opportunities, as well as prioritize automated technologies for nursery production systems.
A new study models groundwater use and crop production as a predator-prey interaction, predicting declining irrigated food production in the US High Plains. By 2050, Nebraska is expected to have nearly 10 times the groundwater-based food production of Texas due to higher recharge rates.
Researchers have engineered a red-algae-like Rubisco enzyme into crops, doubling CO2-fixation rates. The breakthrough aims to increase crop production and improve photosynthesis efficiency.
A three-year study is investigating the agronomic, economic, and ecological outcomes of organic grain production in Tennessee. The research team will explore tillage and cover crop management for organic corn-soybean-wheat rotations to identify changes that can increase profitability and environmental sustainability.
Cotton growers can improve efficiency by using models to correlate development milestones, estimate crop status, and optimize input use. Thermal models, such as heat units, predict crop maturity, informing applications of plant growth regulators and end-of-season management.
Researchers from the University of Vienna have developed biodegradable, CO2-neutral leather substitutes from fungi, using low-cost agricultural by-products. These materials exhibit comparable properties to traditional leather and hold significant potential as an environmentally friendly alternative.
A new project aims to explore insect-based feeds for poultry and aquaculture industries, which could help the UK meet its net-zero emissions target. The team will work on efficient insect production methods to lower costs and environmental impact.
Research finds that despite cocoa not driving deforestation in Colombia, small producers risk being cut out of supply chains if they don't comply with zero-deforestation requirements. Contextualized value-addition strategies are needed to support sustainable markets and peace.
Researchers have made two major breakthroughs to optimize photosynthesis, increasing crop growth by 27 percent in field trials. The discoveries improved the efficiency of electron transport and carbon fixation, resulting in increased productivity and water conservation.
The study found that the Pacific Island Countries (PICTs) are vulnerable to food insecurity due to their reliance on global supply chains. However, researchers suggest that bolstering local production and intraregional trade can strengthen the food system and protect against malnutrition. The PICTs have the potential to rely on traditi...
A new open-source computer model is being developed to simulate production and quantify the environmental effects of management decisions on dairy farms. The Ruminant Farms Systems Model project aims to address limitations of current farm management models and provide tools for economic and environmentally balanced decision-making.
A study published in Journal of Dairy Science proposes breeding dairy cattle to reduce methane production, which accounts for 13% of global GHG emissions. The research aims to decrease enteric methane by 4-6% in 10 years through increased milk productivity per cow.
A peer-reviewed study published in Science finds that 18-22% of Brazil's annual soy exports to the European Union are potentially contaminated with illegal deforestation. The study identifies specific producers responsible for 'poisoning the barrel' and estimates greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation-linked soy and beef exports.
A Rutgers University-led study found that geoengineering's benefits for apple production in northern India are limited and may backfire if stopped abruptly. The research suggests that global warming would reduce apple production due to the winter chill period, and adaptation efforts would only partially succeed.
The $496,000 USDA grant will help design new CEA training programs at Cornell University to address the industry's growing need for a skilled workforce. Participants will gain expertise in CEA infrastructure and advanced knowledge in environmental monitoring and marketing skills.
Researchers developed a one-step system combining CRISPR-mediated genome editing with other approaches to produce better seeds and shorten the production timeline. This new method can be applied to various crops, including maize, rice, millet, wheat, and sorghum.
A study in Peru found that shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is associated with less diverse diets and reduced access to food among local communities. The expansion of cash crops like palm oil and cocoa has led to simplified production systems and decreased agricultural biodiversity.
A new study reveals that coconut oil production threatens more species per ton produced than palm or other vegetable oils, with 20 threatened species affected per million tons. The research highlights the difficulties of conscientious consumption due to a lack of objective guidance on environmental impacts.
Researchers found that GPS-guided tractors can reduce overlap and gaps in field coverage by up to 6% and 16%, respectively, leading to increased crop production and environmental benefits. This technology has the potential to be adopted by small farms, which currently lag behind larger producers in terms of technology adoption.
Research reveals that incorporating cover crops with tillage increases mineralization of nutrients from cover crop biomass. However, results show mixed effects on corn-soybean grain yields when planted after cover crops, highlighting the need for suitable cover crop species selection to avoid yield reductions.
The expansion of oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction in local communities, particularly in Asia. However, large-scale deforestation and biodiversity loss are concerns due to the increased demand for palm oil, primarily used in food, fuel, and cosmetics industries.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze 30 years of crop-yield data, finding that warmer conditions are causing corn yields to increase in humidity and decrease with extreme temperatures. The study predicts a shift in corn and soybean production from Iowa and Illinois to Minnesota and the Dakotas as optimal climate conditions change.
Researchers are developing innovative solutions to increase crop production under climate change conditions, including improving photosynthesis and making crops more resistant to drought. The goal is to double cereal production by 2050 to ensure global food security.
A recent study found that only 27% of the world's population can get temperate cereal grains within a 100 km radius, highlighting the difficulty of relying solely on local resources. The study modeled global distances between crop production and consumption, revealing complex dependencies in current diets.
Research reveals significant economic losses in US soybean production, with average annual losses reaching nearly $4.55 billion from 1996 to 2016. The most economically damaging diseases were the soybean cyst nematode, charcoal rot, and seedling diseases.
The Soybean Innovation Lab helps alleviate hunger and boost local economies in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing research-based solutions to farmers. Studies found that smallholder farmers face significant challenges adopting soybeans as a commercial crop, requiring guidance and support from larger systems.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that organic soybean producers using no-till and reduced-tillage production methods can achieve similar yields at competitive costs compared to traditional tillage-based production. This sustainable method reduces labor, fuel, and input costs while conserving soil health and water quality.
Researchers found that micro RNAs, like miR399, play a crucial role in regulating stomatal pore development and density in response to environmental cues. The study could lead to strategies for improving crop productivity by adjusting stomatal pore density.
A new study suggests a nuclear conflict anywhere on Earth would lead to a decade of global cooling and a severe decline in crop production, compromising global food security. The study found that the sudden change in climate would cause significant crop losses, particularly in northern breadbasket regions.
A study by Rutgers University finds that a limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in the worst global food losses in modern history. Sudden cooling, reduced precipitation, and decreased sunlight could disrupt food production and trade worldwide for up to a decade.
A new study suggests that even a limited India-Pakistan nuclear war would cause unprecedented planet-wide food shortages and probable starvation lasting more than a decade. Crops would be hardest hit in the northern breadbasket regions, but southerly regions would suffer much more hunger due to global trade disruptions.
A study by UCI researchers found that reductions in ground ozone resulted in $600 million in increased production annually, with yields projected to rise by 5-20% for certain crops like wine grapes and table grapes. The study highlights the benefits of air quality standards for California's high-value crops.