Articles tagged with Crops
Scientists found that cultivating squash led to the expansion of a bee species, Peponapis pruinosa, from central Mexico to California and Idaho. Genetic analysis revealed genetic bottlenecks in populations, suggesting farming practices may be causing local extinctions.
A new study reveals that the type of soil used in agricultural models can significantly impact yield projections, particularly in regions with limited fertilizer or irrigation. This uncertainty highlights the need for improved soil observations to better adapt to climate change impacts on food production.
Researchers are breeding barley to make it more resistant to drought and heat, helping farmers avoid yield loss due to climate change. By identifying key molecular switches, they aim to create crops that can efficiently manage water under extreme weather conditions.
Researchers discovered a protein, EPYC1, that enables green algae to efficiently capture CO2 from the air. This finding is crucial for harnessing algae's power in agriculture, which could enhance crop yields by up to 60%.
Three PNNL scientists, Yingge Du, Kirsten Hofmockel, and James Moran, have been selected to receive Early Career Research Program grants from the Department of Energy. They will conduct research in climate science, energy storage, and other areas, with each receiving at least $2.5 million over five years.
Researchers found that snails choose seedlings based on dislike for naturally-omitted scents rather than taste. This discovery suggests harnessing these chemicals could provide an eco-friendly solution to protect crop seedlings from pests.
A study by Stephen Smith found that intellectual property protection encourages crop improvement, benefiting both breeders and society. The research linked optimal genetic innovation with increased economic welfare, health, and nutrition for consumers.
A team of researchers has sequenced the cassava genome to identify genetic diversity and improve breeding strategies. The study reveals that past breeding programs have reduced genetic diversity in Africa, affecting crop yields.
Researchers found that plants can only withstand a limited number of genetic changes before population collapse and extinction. The study challenges common thinking on plant adaptability and has significant implications for agriculture and horticulture in the face of rapid climate change.
A small stand of hybrid poplar trees harvested at the University of Tennessee AgResearch Center will help progress biomass production and a bioeconomy. The trees' woody biomass can be converted into advanced fuels or other biobased products, supporting a sustainable industry in the Southeast.
Research led by UI Scientist Brian Dennis finds honeybees' decline rooted in hive size, which becomes unstable when cooperative functions are degraded. The study proposes regional pesticide management and conservation programs to help honeybees.
An Ibero-American team has sequenced the Mesoamerican common bean genome, which will aid in improving production and conserving genetic varieties. The discovery has significant implications for agriculture, as it will help identify genes involved in disease resistance, drought tolerance, and seed quality.
The Crop Science Society of America is sending graduate students to Zambia to learn about dry bean research and increase international knowledge of this important crop. The PanAfrican Grain Legume Conference and World Cowpea Conference will focus on pulses, dry beans, peas, and lentils.
Soilless farming proposed as a solution to Qatar's food shortage, increasing crop yield by 100 times compared to conventional farming. The system uses nutrient-enriched water and advanced hydroponics to provide reliable quantity and quality of crops, while reducing costs and environmental impact.
The study found that eastern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Northern Atlantic regions are suitable for growing bioenergy grasses like Miscanthus while minimizing water quantity and quality effects. Bioenergy crops can mitigate nitrogen leaching across the US by displacing other cropland or grassland.
A new study suggests that optimized rain use and irrigation can increase crop yields globally, particularly in water-scarce regions like China, Australia, and Mexico. This approach to crop water management could make a crucial contribution to filling the plates of the poor and increasing climate resilience for smallholders.
Scientists from the UK and US are working together to develop new synthetic vaccines and understand how viruses interact with their environment. Repeated strain of Potato virus Y in the US has caused greater crop damage and is harder to control, according to research. Avian influenza poses a threat to food security worldwide.
Researchers aim to unlock the secret of nitrogen fixation in legumes, which could revolutionize agriculture by reducing fertilizer usage and saving billions of dollars. The project will use advanced DNA sequencing and computational analysis to understand the signaling between plants and bacteria in the root nodules.
A study reveals chimpanzees struggle to find ripe fruit, the most energy-rich food source, in tropical rain forests. They must use cognitive strategies to outcompete other animals and optimize their search for high-energy foods.
Small-scale agriculture in developing nations can significantly benefit from increased pollinator density, with a 24% yield increase possible. Large farms may require diverse pollinators to achieve similar benefits, highlighting the importance of agricultural strategies to support pollinator health.
The article discusses the biology and life cycle of squash bugs, which cause significant damage to crops. To control these pests, growers are adopting integrated pest management techniques, including cleaning up debris and boosting natural enemies.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Cambridge University found that grafted plants can share epigenetic traits, enabling them to communicate with each other. This discovery may allow growers to exploit epigenetic information to improve crops and yields.
Researchers have successfully used digital imaging to measure pyrethrum flowers before harvesting, detecting 88% of flowers compared to manual recognition. This automated system allows for faster and easier image collection, enabling greater plot areas to be sampled for yield estimation.
Researchers tested eggplant irrigation rates and found that moderate watering can reduce nitrogen leaching and maintain fruit yields. The study suggests a potential to lower current irrigation rates without negatively impacting crop performance.
A new study led by McGill University and the University of British Columbia found that droughts have a significant impact on cereal crop production, particularly in developed nations. The research analyzed data from 177 countries and found that global production lost to extreme weather events averaged around 9-10%.
Researchers found that foliar applications of kaolin at 2.5% and 5% controlled approximately 80% of the whitefly population in bean crops. Kaolin also improved plant physiology, reducing transpiration by 40% and increasing leaf chlorophyll content by 43%.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a way plants assess shade to outgrow menacing neighbors, triggering accelerated growth through molecular sensors. This finding could improve crop productivity and help farmers grow crops closer together.
Researchers found biochar produced from tomato crop green waste can be used as a substrate for soilless hydroponic tomato production. The study showed that tomatoes grown in biochar-based substrates had similar growth, yield, and fruit quality to those in pine sawdust.
Scientists evaluated nine spring and six fall crop cultivars for suitability as baby-leaf salad greens in the Pacific Northwest. Pak choi 'Joi Choi' and Mustard 'Komatsuna' showed high marketable weight, quick harvest time, and good weed competitiveness.
A new decision support tool has been developed to help farmers and policymakers optimize soil carbon stocks and fertility. The tool identifies five cost-effective methods to improve soil health, including crop rotation, residue handling, and conservation agriculture.
The US hemp industry is expected to grow as the country's demand for healthful foods increases, thanks to the nutritional profile of hemp. The crop contains all nine essential amino acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and has been shown to have potential health benefits.
A recent study led by the University of Queensland found that non-bee insect pollinators, such as flies and butterflies, are crucial for crop pollination. These insects performed 25-50% of total flower visits and provided similar pollination services to bees.
The red clover genome provides a valuable tool for improving the beneficial traits of this important forage crop, including its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide protein-rich livestock feed. The genome assembly will pave the way towards genomics-assisted breeding methods for forage legumes.
Researchers sequenced the entire genome of Oropetium thomaeum, a grass species that can regrow after drought. The study provides insights into its drought tolerance mechanisms and could lead to improved crop yields in water-scarce conditions.
The CU-Boulder study found that the ancient villagers of Ceren had significant interactions among families, village elders, craftspeople, and specialty maintenance workers. The village's high degree of preservation allowed researchers to see daily life in detail, with evidence of free market transactions and no control by elite royalty.
The village of Ceren shows significant interactions among families and villagers in daily life, challenging traditional top-down societies. Archaeological evidence indicates the villagers had free reign regarding architecture, crop choices, and economics.
Research reveals that 'Honeycrisp' apple size and soluble solids content significantly impact consumers' willingness to pay. Growers can increase prices by optimizing fruit size, while maintaining acidity levels to command higher prices.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a technology using peptide mimics to combat parasitic nematodes, which infect crop plants and reduce yields by up to 50%. The project aims to protect crops like banana and plantain, grown by smallholders in developing countries.
A $6.5 million USDA grant is supporting genomic-assisted breeding efforts for cucurbits, aiming to reduce disease problems in squash and melons. Researchers will use genomics techniques to identify genetic markers for disease resistance, enabling breeders to develop more robust crop varieties.
A recent study by Dr Shawn McGuire and Dr Louise Sperling found that farmers in developing countries do not scale back on seed production during times of stress. Instead, they adapt and access seed from various channels, including local markets, which supply more than half of all seed used by farmers. This challenges conventional appro...
Agricultural researchers propose using odors and nectars from wild plants to attract pest-eating predators, mimicking nature's defense against aphids and other insects. This approach could be achieved through breeding programs or artificial devices.
New study recommends four rhizoma peanut selections for ornamental use, with potential benefits including increased canopy cover duration and reduced maintenance needs. The plant's ability to thrive in both full sun and shaded conditions makes it a viable turf alternative.
Two University of Toronto scientists developed a new research framework to measure agricultural impacts using functional trait-based ecology. The approach focuses on how plants respond to and affect changes in their environment, providing insights into crop diversity, nutrient cycling, pest repellence and drought mitigation.
The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, threatens US tomato crops with potential crop loss of up to 100%, prompting Virginia Tech-led recommendations for quarantine measures and monitoring programs. World production of tomatoes is approximately 163 million tons annually.
A sweeping study by Kansas State University reveals a decline in crop diversity across the US over the past 34 years, with significant regional variations. The research highlights the potential consequences of this trend on agroecosystem function and food system sustainability.
A team of MSU researchers, led by Sarah Evans, will study how plants interact with microbes to obtain nitrogen in abandoned farmlands. The goal is to maximize biofuel yields while minimizing fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
Scientists have discovered a new parasitoid wasp species that can kill up to 25% of the Asian fly larvae, a widely spread invasive pest corrupting large parts of the pigeon pea crops. This natural enemy has the potential to be a biocontrol agent, offering a promising solution for the Dominican Republic's economic losses estimated at 76%.
A large-scale genetic study of marijuana and hemp revealed a lack of knowledge about cannabis due to its controlled status. Researchers found that cannabis plants are often incorrectly labeled and breeders' claims about strain ancestry are not accurate.
A research team at the John Innes Centre has identified and studied peas with mutations in genes coding for seed protease inhibitors, which can reduce protein availability by up to 10%. The study provides proof of principle for genetic approaches to improve crop traits, including the removal of allergenic proteins.
A University of Exeter review highlights the dangers of relying on climate-based projections for crop pest distributions. Crop pests like the Colorado potato beetle have evolved rapidly to evade predictions, making it challenging to predict their future spread.
Researchers found that strip-till farming increased soil organic matter content by 8.6% after five years compared to no-till methods. This resulted in reduced bulk density and penetration resistance, creating a more favorable environment for crop growth.
A new study using genomics to match plant varieties with climate stresses shows promise for increasing crop resilience. Researchers mapped genomic signatures of adaptation in sorghum varieties, identifying those that thrive under drought or toxic soils.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that perennial biofuel crops use a comparable amount of water as traditional corn crops in the Midwest. This discovery has significant implications for cellulosic biofuel production and understanding the impact of climate change on water balances.
CAM research provides a roadmap for increasing agricultural production by developing water-efficient crops and improving existing non-CAM crops. The emerging discipline has tremendous potential for applications, attracting growing interest from academia and industry.
A study by Sasha Kravchenko reveals that long-term differences in soil use impact pore sizes and microbial communities, providing plants with essential nutrients. The research compared two agricultural systems, finding complex pore structures and unique bacterial colonies within individual aggregates.
The University of Illinois will lead a $3.1 million project to develop all-terrain automated ground rovers for high-throughput field phenotyping. These rovers will measure crop growth using 3-D reconstruction and various sensors, enabling faster breeding of energy sorghum and other bioenergy crops.
A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have identified key volatile compounds in damaged walnuts that attract insect pests, threatening California's walnut harvests. The team has developed a blend of these aromatic compounds to control pests sustainably and reduce pesticide use.
Researchers found that applying a fence around a nest protects it from harvesting operations and predators, with a map directing citizen science efforts for maximum benefit. However, predation can counterbalance the positive impacts of protection.
A comprehensive study by Washington State University scientists David Crowder and John Reganold reveals organic agriculture has significant profit margins compared to conventional farming. Despite lower yields, organic agriculture offers greater environmental benefits and can expand its share in sustainable food production.