Articles tagged with Crops
Researchers tracing the journey of Phytophthora infestans, a plant destroyer behind Ireland's Irish Potato Famine, explore its taxonomy and identification from early microscopy to genomic technologies. Advances in science strengthen efforts to monitor and manage destructive plant diseases.
A team of horticulture scientists has identified the single genetic region controlling primocane-fruiting in blackberries, a discovery expected to speed up breeding for improved varieties. The study validated the result through genetic linkage mapping and identified candidate genes involved in flowering regulation.
Novin AgriTech received an $174,906 USD grant from the US Department of Agriculture to develop nitrogen use efficiency trait in elite wheat cultivars. The company's platform technology will introduce genetic tools to improve nitrogen use efficiency.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic locus in the common agricultural weed Elymus repens that provides significant resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, a destructive fungal disease threatening global food security. The novel Fhb.Er-1StL locus has been successfully transferred into wheat, reducing diseased plant spikelets by up to...
Research by Arkansas Rice Processing Program suggests commingling certain rice cultivars leads to decreased head rice yield due to varying milling rates. This can result in a 2% drop in head rice yield if over-milling occurs, highlighting the importance of identity preservation and optimal milling rates.
Researchers aim to accelerate public spinach breeding by identifying genetic variation and developing genomic tools for Pythium tolerance. They are evaluating 480 diverse spinach genotypes to identify over 30 Pythium-tolerant lines.
A new study by Cornell University suggests that animal and human waste could meet 102% of nitrogen and 50% of phosphorus needs for US agriculture, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, implementation challenges such as processing and transport need to be addressed to unlock this potential.
Researchers at DTU have developed a new method to identify bacteria capable of producing vitamin B2 in soya drinks. A bacterium from bumblebee guts was found to thrive in plant-based dairy alternatives and produce the nutrient in high quantities.
Researchers developed a hybrid engine to predict sugar beet disease by combining drone images, weather data, and qPCR-based airborne spore monitoring. The system reduced prediction error by up to 39% and provided accurate forecasts of disease severity.
A new study demonstrates that combining a water-saving irrigation technique with an engineered biochar fertilizer can significantly improve rice production while lowering nitrogen pollution. The approach, known as AWD and nitrogen-loaded biochar synergy, achieved co-benefits in yield improvement, water saving, and ammonia mitigation.
A new system can map soil moisture tree by tree, allowing growers to water specific trees if they're dry. Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for plant health, as too little water can stress trees, while too much water can deprive roots of oxygen.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive wheat disease that can reduce yields and contaminate grain with toxins. New research in Plant Disease identified several emerging fungal pathogens, including a previously undescribed species, responsible for the severe outbreak in Ethiopia.
Researchers developed a nitrogen-doped biochar-modified zero-valent iron nanocomposite that rapidly removes harmful herbicides from soil and protects crops. The material also triggers the formation of an iron plaque on plant roots, capturing contaminants and improving crop health.
Researchers identified a mechanism allowing plants to rapidly slow growth in response to extreme stress. By limiting growth-related compounds, plants pause development and cope with stress. The finding has practical applications for developing more resilient crops.
Researchers at Colorado State University have identified four Fusarium species causing potato dry rot in the San Luis Valley, including one not previously found in the US. This study will help improve disease diagnosis and monitoring, as well as guide cultivar selection and breeding for disease resistance.
Researchers found that combining fermented and unfermented cocoa beans can balance flavor and nutritional value, increasing the market potential of Amazonian cocoa. The study also identified new molecules with antioxidant properties, suggesting Amazonian cocoa as a superfood
A new international study reveals that the ancestors of modern crop viruses likely emerged before the last Ice Age, affecting both wild and cultivated plants. The viruses, spread by leaf-eating beetles, infect various crops and wild species, posing risks to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
A study by MIT researchers found that nitrous oxide can hamper the growth of certain soil bacteria dependent on vitamin B12 for methionine biosynthesis. The findings suggest that N2O production in agricultural settings could influence microbial communities, potentially impacting crop health.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have developed a hypoallergenic alternative cheese using rice proteins. The study analyzed various protein sources from brown rice, white rice, and bran, finding that they can provide qualities needed for plant-based cheesemaking.
Researchers have identified a master regulator in plants that balances root and shoot growth when nutrients are limited, leading to yield increases of up to 24% in rice plants. This breakthrough could ultimately improve global crop yields while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers.
Researchers have discovered that native rice stink bugs have more genetic diversity than invasive species, which could help monitor the spread of insecticide resistance. This study provides valuable insights into pest management for Arkansas rice growers, who face significant costs due to the bug's impact on their crops.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
Researchers developed an AI-based system to generate high-resolution soybean yield maps across Brazil, leveraging knowledge from U.S.-based models through transfer learning. The approach achieved strong predictive performance without using municipal-level yield data, improving estimates for this key agricultural region.
A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.
A decade-long study reveals that combined effects of rising atmospheric CO₂ and warming reduce phosphorus availability in rice-upland crop rotation systems. Warming plays a dominant role in redirecting phosphorus into less accessible soil pools.
The METAGROLAND project aims to improve environmental farming schemes by studying plant-pollinator interactions and land manager networks. Key findings include the development of practical guidance for agri-environmental schemes that align ecological processes with real-world management.
Researchers found that narrower soybean leaves can improve how efficiently plants use available light. By altering leaf shape through a single gene, they reduced total leaf area by 13% without affecting yield, resulting in more efficient sunlight conversion into seed.
A recent study by RIKEN researchers analyzed the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on mandarin oranges in real-world farms across Japan. The findings showed that reducing chemical pesticides led to more fruit diseases, while also enhancing soil microbial diversity and improving carbon content. This trade-off highlights the need for...
Researchers have identified novel sources of soybean resistance to cyst nematode that could help protect global soybean production. The study reveals a wealth of previously untapped genetic resistance to SCN by mining deep into soybean genomes.
A new study reveals the devastating impacts of flue-cured Virginia tobacco production on the environment and farmers' lives in Zimbabwe. The research highlights the destruction of 60,000 hectares of Miombo woodland each year and an economic context that prevents farmers from diversifying into less damaging crops.
Researchers compared seedling germination, growth and nutrient uptake in pure food waste substrate, commercial potting mix and blends with varying ratios. Mixtures with less than 50% food waste compost produced better results.
Knocking out the OsDT5 gene boosts drought resistance in rice, corn, and wheat, as well as the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens. The study provides a unified mechanistic framework for drought adaptation in terrestrial plants.
A new signaling cascade has been discovered in plants to cope with nitrate deficiency, involving ROS and transcription factors WRKY42/WRKY58. This finding provides a conceptual framework for engineering nitrogen-efficient crops.
A University of Bonn study has shown how the fungus Ustilago maydis takes over the plant's lateral root formation function, leading to massive tissue growths that divert energy and resources from defense. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding more resistant varieties of maize.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered that parasitic plants recognize
Researchers found a positive relationship between government support and voluntary planting of cover crops in Arkansas. The study showed that soybean-to-soybean rotation is the most common aftercover crop adoption, with voluntary cover crops increasing by 5% over the 2013-2019 period.
Plant biologist Masatsugu Toyota receives international recognition for his discovery that plants sense danger through airborne chemicals and warn their neighbors. His work reveals advanced sensory networks rivaling animal nervous systems, challenging traditional views of passive organisms.
A new iron transporter protein, OsIET1, has been identified in rice, crucial for delivering iron to young leaves. The study reveals OsIET1 mediates inter-vascular Fe transfer, promoting optimal plant growth and productivity.
A research team led by Göttingen University found that urban blue spaces play a critical role in food security and social inclusion in four major Indian cities. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold food products.
Researchers discovered that plants respond to compacted soil by thickening their roots and changing their structure, allowing them to penetrate harder. This mechanism is similar to basic engineering principles, such as a pipe's diameter and outer wall strength affecting its ability to resist buckling.
The Philippines faces a widening rice gap due to stagnant farms, with national output remaining largely unchanged since 2017. Regionally tailored strategies are needed to boost production and reduce dependence on imported grain.
A team of researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture identified the base, optimal and maximum temperature ranges for eight commonly grown cover crop species. The study's findings provide significant guidance for developing accurate plant growth and biomass prediction models.
Researchers sequenced the genome of over 3,400 cultivated eggplant varieties and identified key agronomic traits associated with genes. The study revealed over 3,000 associations between traits and genes, providing a foundation for breeding tailor-made eggplant varieties adapted to local conditions.
Researchers have made significant advances in genetically modified plants that produce alpha-amylase inhibitor proteins, making them indigestible to pests like bedbugs, beetles, weevils, and woodworms. Gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, offer a promising solution to combat insect pests without compromising human consumption.
Researchers have identified Aegilops cylindrica as a powerful genetic reservoir for resistance against the devastating fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The study reveals novel mechanisms of immune suppression by the pathogen and offers new insights into plant immunity.
Researchers evaluated 13 sorghum hybrids for biomass yield potential and feedstock quality under various nitrogen fertilization levels. H1 and H13 were identified as top performers, exhibiting superior biomass yield and energy-rich feedstock composition.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison discovered waterhemp populations can survive PPO-inhibiting herbicides applied preemergence. This finding highlights the need to diversify weed management programs and understand resistance development over time for effective, long-term strategies.
Researchers call for greater transparency and regulation in the vegetable oil industry to enable consumers to make informed decisions about their oil choices. The authors emphasize that almost all oils are associated with biodiversity and human rights issues in some contexts, depending on crop management and supply chains.
The University of Tennessee AgResearch has received a $50-million investment to modernize its West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The new facilities, precision agriculture equipment, and laboratory renovations will enhance on-site research and improve data quality.
A global synthesis found that genetic variation in crops significantly affects methane emissions, but not nitrous oxide emissions. Selective breeding of crop traits can help balance high yields with lower GHG release.
Researchers compared different drying conditions for seed rice using X-ray imaging, determining that germination potential and seed vigor are more affected by moisture content than temperature. The study found optimal drying parameters at 13-16% moisture and 122°F temperature, resulting in high germination rates and seed vigor.
A study by ICTA-UAB reveals that non-agricultural sectors absorbed most of the value added in global agri-food systems between 1995 and 2020. The Global South increased its share of agricultural production, but countries of the North still capture a disproportionate share of income from higher-value sectors.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have found that applying nanoscale selenium to rice foliage increases nutritional content, enhances soil microbial diversity, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 41%.
Bionema's innovative bio-based pellets use Loline alkaloids to deliver a safe, sustainable solution for controlling slugs and snails in crops. The project is expected to generate £50 million in the UK and £100 million globally by 2035.
A new study reveals the first detailed structure of HvAACT1, a barley root protein that enables plants to tolerate aluminum-rich acidic soils. This breakthrough provides the structural basis for citrate efflux in plants and has implications for designing crops that can withstand difficult conditions.
A new study has found that while vertical farms can deliver more than 20 times the yield of field farms and use far less water, their carbon footprint still exceeds traditional farming due to high energy demands. Researchers suggest switching to alternative materials could cut the environmental cost by over 95%.
Researchers at Mizzou have developed a specially bred soybean variety called Super that yields the best results in terms of flavor and aroma, making it more appealing to Western consumers. The study found that smart plant breeding can make soy-based foods taste better, which could help more people accept and enjoy them.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that vertical solar panels can generate electricity without compromising crop yields, even with reduced shade. The system requires less land than separate installations and is better received by the public due to its innovative design.