Articles tagged with Crops
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that Napiergrass is a viable biofuel crop in the Southeast's southern tier, offering advantages such as continued biomass production until the first frost. Further studies are underway to improve yields, fiber content, and disease resistance.
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.
Researchers found that alfalfa growth stops when soil copper sulfate levels exceed 500 ppm and beneficial bacterial activity declines above 50 ppm. Crops irrigated with cattle footbath wastewater can accumulate plant-available copper levels up to 63 ppm, posing potential harm to grazing livestock.
The new screening technique uncovers five novel immune-priming compounds in Arabidopsis plants that protect crops without impacting growth or yield. These compounds work by inhibiting enzymes that inactivate defense hormone salicylic acid, leading to enhanced disease resistance.
Researchers have successfully used papaya as a banker plant to control silverleaf whiteflies, reducing pesticide use and promoting environmentally friendly pest management. The system involves using non-stinging wasps to feed on the whiteflies and is being tested in commercial greenhouses.
A Clemson University researcher is working on a project to develop a model that can predict the risk of downy mildew infection in cucurbit crops. This model aims to help reduce the need for fungicides, lower production costs, and increase crop yields.
Researchers have identified a key genetic mechanism in plant hormone signaling that helps plants balance between drought resistance and growth. The discovery may lead to new methods to help plants thrive in tough conditions and reduce crop losses from stress.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has discovered a natural, biodegradable chelating agent called EDDS that can replace existing fertilizers contributing to waterway pollution. The findings support the use of EDDS in floral and nursery crop industries, promoting environmental sustainability.
Research demonstrates that plants trigger their defense mechanisms against freezing temperatures with shortening daylight, unlike trees which do it with waning sunlight. This understanding gives potential tools to fine-tune regulation and increase crop productivity.
Chittaranjan Kole, a Clemson University scientist, has received the Outstanding Crop Scientist Award from the International Crop Science Society for his lifetime and original contributions to crop science. He is recognized for developing crop varieties for functional foods and dietary supplements to combat chronic ailments.
African farmers face devastating losses due to cassava brown streak disease. Researchers have made progress in developing virus-resistant cassava using RNA interference technology, pointing towards improved cassava productivity and economic growth for the region.
A University of Utah study found that agroforests with shade-grown coffee and cacao promote greater bird diversity compared to open farmland. The findings suggest that as forests are converted to open agriculture, bird species providing ecosystem services like insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination may decline.
A survey of Michigan residents shows overwhelming support for government programs helping farmers adapt to climate change. The study found that more than 65% of respondents backed financial assistance for farmers, with many linking it to concerns over recent food price increases and long-term food security.
A team of scientists has cloned the tannin gene in sorghum, revealing its role in promoting human health through antioxidant properties. The study also explores ways to alter tannins to improve sorghum's use as food and feed.
Researchers argue that adopting molecular phenotyping techniques like ionomics and genome-wide association mapping could broaden our understanding of complex interactions in plants. This knowledge could lead to more efficient crop improvement strategies, particularly for adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Researchers have identified prairie cordgrass as a promising alternative to switchgrass for biomass production due to its high yield potential and environmental sustainability. The grass has been found to be well-suited for marginal land, particularly in wet environments, making it an attractive option for conservation efforts.
A recent study has found that exposure to the fungicide tolylfluanid can induce insulin resistance in fat cells, providing new evidence of the link between environmental pollutants and diabetes. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health risks of using this chemical on farm crops.
A study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that pest populations are evolving resistance to genetically modified cotton plants, which produce toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis. The discovery highlights the need for closer monitoring and countering of pest resistance to biotech crops.
To slow resistance of western corn rootworm beetles to genetically protected crops, much larger 'refuge' acreages of conventional crops have to be planted, two experts warn. Increasing refuge requirements can delay pest resistance and sustain the benefits of Bt corn.
Scientists recommend increasing refuge acreage for Bt corn to slow western corn rootworm resistance and promote integrated pest management. The current 20% refuge requirement may not be sufficient to delay resistance, and doubling the size of refuges could help sustain the success of transgenic corn.
The University of Oklahoma led a US-based team in sequencing the tomato genome, revealing new insights into fruit characteristics. The achievement has significant implications for developing more desirable strains with higher yields, increased disease resistance, and improved flavor.
Researchers are launching a nationwide effort to conserve crop wild relatives in the US, recognizing that these plants have value in adapting food systems to climate change. The plants' genetic material could be used to breed drought-resistant crops, making them essential for global agriculture.
Researchers warn of rapid groundwater depletion in California's Central Valley and the High Plains, posing risks to US food production. The study suggests that unsustainable irrigation practices may lead to economic challenges for farmers, particularly in the southern High Plains.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University successfully tested a solar-powered desalination system that provides high-quality irrigation water for crops in arid regions. The system uses nanofiltration membranes to treat brackish water, resulting in 25% less irrigation and fertilizer needed compared to traditional practices.
A new 'super-high' oleic safflower has been developed by CSIRO, with the potential to provide over 100,000 hectares of sustainable plant oils. The oil contains over 90% of valuable oleic acid, making it suitable for industrial chemical production and direct use in lubricants.
Researchers have found a genetic mutation in Scandinavian barley varieties that disrupts the circadian clock, allowing them to flower earlier than southern counterparts. This adaptation enables crops to thrive in regions with short growing seasons, providing new tools for breeding and developing more resilient crops.
A plant disease normally found in subarctic climates has been identified for the first time in the UK in buttercups as far south as Herefordshire. The fungus, Sclerotinia subarctica, affects both crops and wild plants, with severe effects on carrots but minimal impact on meadow buttercups.
Researchers at University of Nottingham use math to study gibberellin hormone affecting plant growth, identifying key interactions between feedback loops. This work aims to improve crop varieties and address global food security concerns.
Fertilizer placement in strip-tilled fields causes non-uniform distribution of potassium and phosphorus, affecting whole-field fertility. To address this issue, researchers recommend taking multiple samples outside the fertilizer band for more accurate assessments.
Research suggests that bioenergy crop expansion can harm farmland bird populations like the Skylark. However, integrating small natural areas into landscapes with diverse crop types and maintaining low field sizes may help conserve these species.
Two studies found that neonicotinoid insecticides harm bumblebees by reducing food intake and queen production, while impairing honeybees' homing abilities, leading to increased mortality. The pesticides can also interfere with bees' behavior, posing a threat to pollination.
Research by Norwich BioScience Institutes and John Innes Centre identifies PIF4 as a control gene that activates flowering pathway in response to temperature. This discovery sheds light on why plants are flowering earlier due to climate change, with potential implications for developing temperature-resilient crops.
Researchers have completed the first high-resolution genetic map of miscanthus, a towering cane-like grass used as an energy crop. The mapping project has provided valuable markers to differentiate individual plants and improve breeding for faster and more efficient production.
Slugs are major crop pests in no-till field crops, with limited management options available. Integrated pest management options, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls, are suggested for common mid-Atlantic slug species.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying the molecular structure of a controversial pesticide to determine if it can be made more efficient and safer. They found that the active ingredient, methyl iodide, can be slowed down in its release, reducing the need for large amounts of pesticide.
A Purdue University study reveals that hermetic grain storage bags work by depriving weevils of water through metabolic processes, not just oxygen deprivation. The bags' effectiveness in reducing insect infestations has saved West and Central African farmers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have successfully altered root growth in plants by controlling a key regulatory protein, WRKY23. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields and resistance to parasites under varying environmental conditions.
A study by U of I associate professor Marty Williams found that increasing plant populations can affect crop growth and development, with varying effects among different hybrids. The average optimal plant population for maximizing yield differed by over 9,000 plants per acre among the six tested hybrids.
A new computer model developed at the University of Illinois can simplify the transition from field to biorefinery by optimizing operations to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The model takes into account regional attributes such as weather, crop yield, farm size and transport distances, and can run millions of simulations.
The University of Copenhagen has launched a new research platform aiming to develop hybrid technologies for more efficient production of biofuels. The platform will test dual-purpose crops that can provide both food and biomass for fuel and chemicals, aiming to reduce the industry's reliance on oil.
Researchers found that protein renewal rates vary between proteins according to their role and location within cells. This knowledge could help breed crops incorporating proteins that respond quickly to changing conditions.
Tomato and watermelon crops show higher capacity for carbon fixation under saline conditions. In contrast, lettuce, melon, and pepper crops have lower photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll content, indicating reduced efficiency in CO2 accumulation.
A recent study surveying tree fruit professionals found that the main concerns about new technologies are equipment cost, reliability of harvest assist systems, and sensor systems. Regional differences were also observed, with eastern US growers emphasizing price points and irrigation concerns.
Researchers are utilizing genomic data to create novel pest-control strategies, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and environmental pollution. The study focuses on the biology of the two-spotted spider mite, exploring its ability to develop pesticide resistance and potential applications in crop protection.