Articles tagged with Crops
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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.
Researchers found genetic adaptations in response to micronutrient shortages and surpluses, particularly in regions with iodine-poor soils. The study provides insights into the impact of micronutrient availability on human evolution, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to deficiencies as climate change affects soil nutrient levels.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science identified ancient protein SCORE to help plants defend against various pathogens. By engineering synthetic SCORE variants, plants can be made resistant to multiple pathogen types.
Researchers are testing how crops grow between rows of solar panels on a farm in New York state. The team is growing various crops, including strawberries, raspberries, and soybeans, with promising early results.
A recent study reveals that foliar fungicides can alter the composition of beneficial fungi in corn leaves, highlighting the need to reassess crop management strategies. The research also suggests that sustainable practices promoting beneficial microbes could enhance crop resilience and yield.
Researchers used gene expression data to identify genes related to stress responses in wild varieties, which could be beneficial for developing hardier crops. Domesticated species showed genes related to hormone regulation and chemical detoxification.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
Researchers developed a strategy to predict multiple traits at once based on the whole genome, increasing predictive ability by 2-10 times. This method, called multi-trait genomic selection (MT-GS), combines genetic markers with known trait links for more accurate predictions, making it a promising tool for efficient and cost-effective...
Scientists have developed a new technique to silence specific genes in plants, improving crop yields and disease resistance. The vsRNAi approach uses ultra-short RNA sequences to trigger gene silencing, opening up new avenues for sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found biochar improved soil's ability to hold nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants better growth conditions. Biochar also helps improve water quality by keeping nitrates in the soil and out of groundwater.
Biofortified rice in Colombia has high potential to improve nutrition and is preferred by consumers despite its increased zinc content, with a 41% premium over standard rice. The variety was developed to address zinc deficiency in the country's Caribbean region, where rates are 41% among children aged 1-4.
A team of researchers has developed a drone-based system to detect dicamba damage in soybean canopies, allowing for early detection and reporting of crop damage at the field scale. The system uses remote sensing technology to identify subtle canopy damage caused by dicamba vapor drift.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have found beneficial microbes in rice roots that can support plant growth and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. The study reveals an increase in microbial diversity as plants mature, with nitrogen-fixing bacteria enriching the soil.
Agroecological methods improve biodiversity, pollination, natural pest control, and crop yields, but new subsidies are needed to support farms' transition. The study found that incorporating nature-friendly practices increases benefits for nature and farmers, with higher soil carbon and overall increased crop yields.
Research by Christian Schubert and Scott Lafontaine reveals rice's brewing benefits, including improved flavor profiles and shorter fermentation times. The study highlights the potential of rice to enhance nonalcoholic beer quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional brewing methods.
New research reveals evolutionary reversal in island plants where wild-growing tomatoes on western islands produce alkaloids similar to those found in eggplants. The study suggests that environmental conditions may be driving the reversal, and this phenomenon could have implications for human evolution and nature's ability to adapt.
A new study has revealed that wheat plants actively influence the microbial communities living on and inside their roots, with certain microbes favored under dry conditions and others under irrigation. This dynamic relationship allows the plant to select its microbial partners, shaping its microbiome over time.
A new study reveals how nanoparticles can interfere with photosynthesis in plants, reducing their ability to convert sunlight into food. The research team found that nanoparticles undergo changes in pH and pick up lipid coatings from plant membranes, boosting their binding to RuBisCO and impairing its function.
Researchers discovered a massive 330-acre ancient agricultural site in Michigan, featuring raised field systems and clustered garden beds. The site, dating back to the 10th century, reveals intensive farming practices by ancestral Native Americans, challenging previous estimates.
A new digital tool provides free satellite monitoring and analysis of vegetation and crop health across Kansas and the nation. The Sentinel GreenReport Plus combines satellite imagery with climate datasets to provide users with insights into vegetation greenness, changes in land cover over time, and climate abnormalities.
A two-year study found that fluridone is effective in controlling Palmer pigweed in rice, but its use can cause injury to some cultivars. Rice farmers should apply the herbicide before the three-leaf stage and follow the label instructions to minimize risk.
A new international study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought. The researchers added nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to 26 sites across 9 countries and found a 24% increase in plant growth with fertilizer addition.
The Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies report shows that 81% of producers use lime and fertilizer recommendations to improve soil fertility. The study also found that most producers are satisfied with the free soil testing services provided by the Marianna lab, which accounts for 80-85% of analysis in the state.
A long-term field experiment in Yorkshire Dales shows that combining different restoration techniques can enhance ecological benefits of grasslands. The study found that using combinations of fertilizers, seeds, and manure boosts plant diversity, pollination, and carbon storage while balancing hay yields for livestock.
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance wheat plants' sugar signalling ability, increasing yields by up to 12%. The new technology uses a Trehalose 6-phosphate pre-signalling molecule to activate the pathway for starch synthesis, leading to increased photosynthesis and grain filling.
MIT researchers have developed a way to produce large amounts of silk microneedles to deliver agrochemicals and nutrients to plants, showing promising results in treating chlorosis and adding vitamin B12 to tomato plants. The technology has the potential to serve as a new kind of plant interface for real-time health monitoring and biof...
Researchers found that using rice malt instead of milled rice in beer brewing can decrease production costs by 2-12%. Malted rice also requires less crop-growing acreage, making it a viable alternative for craft brewers. The study suggests that malting could open up new markets for Arkansas rice and ensure its long-run sustainability.
A long-term shift towards drier conditions is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods globally, affecting 40% of Earth's land and 2.3 billion people. The research highlights solutions to adapt to a future where water is no longer guaranteed, including smarter irrigation strategies, data analytics, and restoring degraded land.
Researchers from Politecnico di Milano developed a study analyzing agrivoltaics' potential to reduce global conflict over land use. The coexistence of photovoltaic panels and agricultural crops can help solve the pressure on arable land due to growing energy demand and food production needs.