Articles tagged with Crops
Researchers have found that the closest relatives of papaya are three herbaceous species and a small tree with stinging hairs from Mexico to Guatemala. The study clarifies species boundaries and reveals the biogeographic history of the papaya family.
A study by Washington State University researchers compared high tunnel and open-field production systems for lettuce and tomato. High tunnel-grown tomatoes were three times more profitable than open-field production, while lettuce was less profitable due to higher labor costs.
A recent study found that the invasive creeping daisy attracts and augments local populations of pollinating insects, including the native bee Braunsapis puangensis. This association has positive implications for crop growers and commercial honey producers in Fiji.
A study found that vetch residue management strategies combined with organic fertilizers increased marketable zucchini yield by 46.6% and 38%. The technique of roller-crimper mulch also improved soil moisture and fertility, contributing to better crop quality.
Researchers identify four native shrubs with potential as commercially viable nursery crops: Ceanothus americanus, Corylus cornuta, Lonicera canadensis, and Viburnum acerifolium. Successful propagation protocols are key to their success. Timing of cutting is crucial for optimal rooting, with Viburnum acerifolium showing the most promise.
Researchers have discovered how plants recognize and respond to bacterial proteins, leading to the development of crops with enhanced immunity. This breakthrough has significant implications for increasing crop yields and improving food quality worldwide.
A University of Calgary-led research team has discovered a gene regulatory network that controls seed 'de-greening' in canola, a major cash crop in Alberta. The breakthrough offers a solution to a long-standing problem causing millions of dollars in annual losses.
Researchers are studying the effects of urban climates on crop yields to develop new crops adapted to urban gardens and provide recommendations for urban farmers. The benefits of urban agriculture include increased food production, community engagement, and access to healthy fresh produce.
Researchers from the University of Guelph compared 55 years of Wisconsin and Ontario data to determine associations between weather and crop yields. Key findings indicate that hot days during June-July-August and rainfall were significant factors affecting yield, with heat tolerance being crucial for breeding purposes.
Researchers found an association between living near pig farms and manure fertilizers with community-acquired MRSA infections. Approximately 11% of cases could be attributed to crop fields fertilized with swine manure.
The NTA IPM team developed a science-based framework to assess Bt crop risks on beneficial non-target arthropods. Their research and outreach information validated the tier-testing system used by regulatory agencies.
A study by UC Davis researchers has found that wild Asian elephants retreat from both leopard and tiger growls, which could help Indian farmers protect their crops from elephant raids. The work aims to prevent conflicts between human farmers and elephant herds, resulting in the loss of human and animal lives.
MSU's UAV measures crop health, helping farmers pinpoint problem areas and apply precise treatments. The combination of drone and SALUS model allows for sustainable farming practices.
High crop species richness suppresses pest populations, indicating a positive relationship between crop diversity and biological control. The study found that crop diversity enhances the natural enemy-pest ratio, leading to improved pest control on EMS using microlandscape.
Researchers develop a Sudoku-inspired watermarking technology that can resist 9 out of 10 cropping attempts, providing robust protection for photographers and content owners.
A recent study by Kansas State University predicts that the High Plains Aquifer will deplete to 69% by 50 years if current irrigation trends continue. Reducing water use could extend the aquifer's lifetime and increase net agricultural production until 2110.
Research suggests that reallocating croplands away from fuels and animal feed can boost food availability for people by 70 percent without clearing more land. The study found that growing food exclusively for human consumption could provide enough calories to feed a few billion more people.
New technology for creating pesticides and pest-resistant crops raises concerns about harm to desirable insects and ecological disruption. Researchers suggest designing chemicals that minimize impact on non-target species and evaluating real-life situations.
A new study suggests that sustainable farming practices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving food security. By increasing crop yields using efficient methods, such as new varieties and precision farming, farmers can cut emissions by 12% per calorie produced.
A meta-analysis of 71 studies found that agri-environment schemes, such as sowing wild-flowers and organic farming, enhance the diversity and abundance of wild bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The results suggest that increasing flower abundance in field margins and roadsides can boost pollinator populations, especially common species.
A global assessment of genetically modified crops reveals why some pests have adapted to Bt proteins in a few years, while others resisted for over 15 years. The study found conditions favoring sustained efficacy include rare resistance genes and abundant refuges.
An interdisciplinary team will analyze soil, crop, and climate conditions at 75 Midwestern corn farms to identify factors influencing farmers' decisions about environmentally friendly practices. The study aims to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from corn farming, with results expected to inform policy approaches.
A new study published in Significance magazine assesses how precision agriculture can improve the farming economy and crop quality, ensuring food security. Geostatistics is used to map and predict soil properties, allowing farmers to apply inputs like fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently.
The NASA Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) satellite uses its Thermal Infrared Sensor to measure the temperature of the Salton Sea, detecting cooler areas as dark and warm areas as bright.
Nepal and India experience widespread agricultural fires, burning in the April 13, 2013 image from NASA's MODIS satellite. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected actively burning areas, which are outlined in red.
Dozens of agricultural fires have been set in India and Nepal, with the NASA MODIS satellite capturing their extent. The fires are outlined in red on this natural-color image from April 06, 2013.
Fires in Southeast Asia are ongoing, with crop burning identified as a primary cause. NASA images capture the extent of these fires, which can have devastating environmental impacts.
A new study by University of Arizona entomologists reveals that the pyramid strategy for genetically modified crops may not be as durable as previously assumed. The research found that critical assumptions underlying the strategy do not always apply, and that some degree of cross-resistance between toxins can reduce its effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Illinois suggest reforming regulatory lists using a science-based process and assessing potential invasiveness. This could lead to better protection for natural areas against invasive species, but may not threaten the development of new biofuels crops.
A large-scale study found that wild insects consistently enhance fruit set for a broad range of crops and agricultural practices on all continents. The researchers concluded that losses of wild insects from agricultural landscapes will likely impact both natural heritage and harvests.
A recent study found that managed honey bees are less successful at pollinating crops than wild insects, highlighting the negative consequences of losing wild insect populations. The research emphasizes the need for integrated management practices to promote long-term agricultural production and enhance global crop yields.
The EU directive on GMOs must be amended to allow the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals, which could lead to cheaper vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and organic plastics. The new regulations should provide tight oversight to encourage investment while maintaining trust.
The symposium aims to find solutions to the increasing gap between food production and water availability. Experts will discuss ways to optimize water use in crop production, protect freshwater resources, and reuse gray water to ensure both adequate food and abundant water supplies for future generations.
A food science expert argues that genetically modified foods pose no special risks to consumers or the environment. The overregulation of GM crops wastes resources and diverts attention from real food safety issues.
A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.
Researchers found that wild plants with multiple viral infections remained healthy, suggesting a cooperative role for the microbe. The viruses were passed from plants to their offspring through seeds and may play a beneficial role in plant life, making them more resilient to extreme temperatures and drought.
The domestication of wild plants for biofuel use can increase virus pressure in crop areas unless mitigated. Perennial plants in nature grow slower but are better equipped to fight off viruses, whereas annual plants can serve as 'amplifiers' producing lots of viruses and insects.
A new discovery allows for expanded use of a mainstay biological pest control method, the sterile insect technique (SIT), which avoids health and environmental concerns. The approach involves mass release of radiation-sterilized insects that mate but produce no offspring, reducing pest populations.
Researchers found that simple measures of labile soil organic matter, such as nitrogen mineralization and carbon mineralization, can predict corn performance. These inexpensive tests reflect long-term management and short-term seasonal changes.
Bt corn has higher yields and uses nitrogen more efficiently due to its healthy root system, leading to increased production and potential changes in management practices. This study demonstrates the benefits of Bt corn beyond rootworm resistance.
Agricultural Research Service study finds that removing corn cob residues from fields does not harm soil quality, supporting the development of new bioenergy sources. Soils retain potassium from cobs, making them a potential raw material for cellulosic ethanol production.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University created a reliable 'calendar' of seasonal drought patterns that can help farmers avoid costly losses to drought conditions. By considering soil properties and water deficits, the study found that traditional atmospheric measurements underestimated drought probabilities.
A global research team has completed high-quality sequencing of 90 chickpea genomes, revealing clues on how to improve crop resilience. The study provides a map of the genes that define the chickpea plant, potentially leading to improved varieties with enhanced drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Peach trees require specific chilling hours to produce flowers and fruit. Clemson researchers are studying the mechanisms of chilling and heat requirements to help breeders adapt cultivars to warmer winters. The goal is to maintain high fruit-quality traits while breeding for increased heat requirement.
Researchers in China have discovered that corn can be used as a trap crop to control the devastating parasitic weed sunflower broomrape. The weed causes significant damage to vegetable and row crops, but using corn as a trap crop can induce suicidal germination in the weed, reducing its impact.
Researchers used infrared sensors and thermal technology to evaluate irrigation strategies in peach orchards. They found that midday canopy-to-air temperature differences were significantly higher in water-stressed trees, indicating the potential for effective management of water use.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that relocating elephants to national parks does not decrease human-wildlife conflict. In fact, the translocated elephants were involved in more conflicts and killed five people over a year, highlighting the need for alternative conservation strategies.
A team of Princeton researchers found that using synthetic fuel made from coal, natural gas, and non-food crops could cut US vehicle greenhouse emissions by up to 50% in the next several decades. The process is competitive with crude oil production and has potential environmental advantages.
Scientists use satellite data to map plant stress, providing early warning signs of drought. The maps can aid in drought forecasts and help farmers make practical decisions sooner.
The study provides a high-quality genome sequence of an East-Asia watermelon cultivar and resequencing of 20 watermelon accessions, shedding light on the molecular basis of disease resistance and evolutionary history. The results reveal clusters of resistance genes and tandem duplications as potential evolutionary bases for these traits.
The pear genome sequence offers a valuable resource for breeding improvement and studying evolutionary history, with similarities to apple and strawberry genomes. The sequence reveals diverse genetic information, including repetitive sequences and transposable elements, shedding light on the crop's unique characteristics.
A MSU team is working to collar Baird's tapirs in Nicaragua to monitor their movements and determine how they can co-exist with local farmers. The research aims to find a balance between the animals' survival and crop protection.
The University of Southampton is leading a €11.6 million EU-funded research project to develop new crops that can withstand drought, addressing the impact of climate change on crop productivity. The project aims to characterise DNA variation in under-utilised crops and harness this knowledge to produce better crops.
Researchers have identified a gene that regulates chloroplast development through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, potentially unlocking control over fruit ripening in crops. The discovery may enable manipulation of chloroplast functions to improve crop yields and reduce food waste.
Researchers at Kansas State University are using the new mass spectrometer to analyze plant responses to heat, cold, and other stresses. By studying Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant species, they aim to improve crop plants' ability to withstand environmental stress.
The study suggests that a thorough reassessment of land availability for bioenergy production is needed to account for environmental and socio-economic constraints. Policy recommendations aim to resolve conflicting land-use demands and promote sustainable development.
A European-wide network aims to improve GMO regulatory systems through systematic environmental impact assessments. The network addresses public concerns and creates confidence in the ENSyGMO results by analyzing GM crop effects using integrated approaches and methods at various scales.
A European-wide network for systematic GMO impact assessment aims to improve the regulatory system by harmonizing environmental risk assessment and post-market monitoring. The framework proposes various methodologies, including indicator and field site selection, agro-environment typology, and state-of-the-art sampling approaches.
Michigan State University has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the USDA to support specialty crop yields and profit through improved pollination management. The five-year project aims to develop region- and crop-specific Integrated Crop Pollination approaches using honey bees, wild bees, and alternative managed bees.
Farmers can create detailed maps using NASA and USGS Landsat satellite data to identify areas suitable for crops, reducing fertilizer waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. The technology uses band combinations to rapidly recognize features and changes over time, supporting crop analysis and decision-making.