Articles tagged with Crops
The University of Illinois has received a $662,836 NSF grant to establish a program mentoring Latino undergraduate students in quantitative biology and informatics. Four cohorts of students will participate in one-year research experiences, receiving fellowships for their work.
Scientists develop a new DNA technique to screen for natural resistance in crops affected by the honey fungus, a devastating disease of trees and shrubs. The technique allows for easy identification, measurement, and study of the fungus in a lab setting.
Researchers at NC State University have discovered a cost-effective method to deter deer from damaging Christmas trees. By using inexpensive, inedible food byproducts like dried blood and egg powder, farmers can protect their crops with significant savings.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a single P450 enzyme responsible for producing two common plant volatiles that defend against insect attacks. The discovery provides new insights into the biosynthesis of these compounds and offers potential applications in improving crop pest controls.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified a mutant gene that links powdery mildew resistance to plant fertility. Plants with this gene are resistant to powdery mildew but infertile, highlighting a crucial trade-off in plant defense mechanisms.
The new system will provide more accurate loss adjustment, better policy service, and lower costs to taxpayers. It will consider multiple factors such as weather, location, elevation, and other issues for precise analysis.
Virginia Tech receives a $2.7 million grant to study integrated management of zoosporic pathogens and irrigation water quality for a more sustainable green industry. The project aims to develop biologically based control methods and best management practices to recycle irrigation water safely.
Researchers investigated how GMO gene flow impacts sorghum-shattercane wild-crop hybrids. The study found that the hybrids outperformed their parents in terms of growth and competitiveness, but produced fewer seeds.
The University of Maryland is leading a $5 million NSF-funded research partnership to develop drought-tolerant canola crops. The project will analyze guard cells in the canola plant to understand how plants respond to drought and improve water use efficiency.
A new study finds that Bt corn provides significant economic benefits to neighboring farmers by reducing pest management costs and improving grain quality. The researchers estimate cumulative economic benefits of nearly $7 billion between 1996-2009, with benefits of over $4 billion for non-Bt corn farmers.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that expanding bioenergy crops in the Upper Midwest could decrease bird species by 7-65% due to monoculture farming. In contrast, perennial cultures of prairie plants and grasses could increase biodiversity by 25-100%.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute have identified synthetic compounds that can mimic the effects of plant hormone abscisic acid, helping plants retain water during drought. These findings could lead to sprays that use a plant's natural defenses to improve drought tolerance and combat global food shortages.
A study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals that streams in the Midwest are contaminated with insecticidal proteins from genetically modified corn, which can persist in the landscape. The research highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of agricultural practices on freshwater ecosystems.
Researchers identify key genes that allow fruit flies to differentiate between smells, enabling the development of more effective insect repellents. By understanding how these genes are regulated, scientists can target similar genes in other insects to create substances that repel pests.
Researchers found that winter drought stress can delay orange flowering by 2-4 weeks, allowing for safer mechanical harvesting and reducing young fruit loss. The technique, tested on 'Valencia' sweet oranges, improves late-season harvests without negative impacts on yield or fruit quality.
The USDA has sequenced the cacao genome, accelerating genetic improvement of the crop to resist pests and diseases, improve yields, and support sustainable agriculture. This achievement will benefit the $17 billion US chocolate industry and millions of small farmers worldwide.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold on crops in sub-Saharan Africa. By manipulating strigolactone production, they aim to reduce the parasite's ability to kill crops.
Researchers will use genome sequencing and equipment to profile small RNA expression in plants, aiming to improve biomass yields and quality for bioenergy production. The project focuses on Miscanthus and other grasses with high potential biomass yields.
Researchers discovered a gene called Spatula that limits plant growth in cool temperatures, potentially helping develop crops for cold climates. By manipulating the gene, scientists aim to improve crop yields and food security in temperate regions.
Afla-Guard, a biological control developed for peanut cultivation, has shown promise in reducing aflatoxin levels on corn crops. In a two-year study, the product demonstrated an overall reduction of 85% in aflatoxin levels compared to control fields.
Researchers have successfully transferred green pepper genes into African bananas, giving them resistance to the deadly Banana Xanthomonas Wilt disease. The banana varieties exhibit strong resistance to the disease and could potentially save millions of farmers' livelihoods.
A GM insect-resistant cotton crop in India significantly increased employment opportunities for female laborers, with average income gains of 40 US dollars per hectare. The research found that the use of Bt cotton reduced manual work and reallocated labor to other household activities, improving women's quality of life.
A recent study found that Florida's winters are getting more extreme, causing plants to flower later and potentially shrinking the growing seasons for some of the state's most vital crops. The researchers' work highlights the complexity of a changing climate in a warming world.
Researchers found that subjecting horseradish root stocks to hot water at 47 degrees Centigrade for 20 minutes effectively controls Verticillium and Fusarium pathogens. This simple, safe, and cost-effective method is expected to boost crop yields and improve the quality of commercial horseradish.
A study compiled field studies across the US to identify influences on biomass yield of switchgrass. Lowland and upland switchgrass types showed varying yields, with annual averages of 12.9 metric tons per hectare for lowland and 8.7 metric tons for upland ecotypes.
Researchers found that organic farming increases beneficial predator populations, reducing insect pests and promoting larger potato plants. This biodiversity conservation may be the secret behind organic farmers' success in achieving high yields.
Phytophthora blight affects all cucurbits and peppers, causing up to 100% crop loss in parts of the state. Illinois-grown processing pumpkins account for nearly 95% of US supply, with a gross value exceeding $160 million per year.
Researchers found that improving soil structure was a significant variable contributing to positive potato yield. Supplementing traditional soil sampling with spectral measurement provided detailed insights into how the potato crop interacts with its environment.
Research found that adding straw residue to hairy vetch cover crops can reduce legume nitrogen losses, but may lower crop yields. The study revealed that straw residue reduced soil inorganic nitrogen content by an average of 7.3% compared to treatments with only legume residues.
A new study finds that adding straw residue to hairy vetch cover crops can reduce nitrogen loss into waterways. However, this method also results in reduced crop yields due to the straw's removal from the field for sale. The research suggests integrating legume cover crops with synthetic fertilizers could improve sustainability.
Six new corn inbred lines with resistance to aflatoxin contamination have been found free of foreign seed-borne diseases. Seeds are now available in the United States for further evaluation and breeding towards commercialization. Data from these lines will provide insight into their value in reducing food safety risks.
A new book chapter by American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America highlights critical agricultural research areas receiving federal funding, including biofuel production, environmental quality, food safety, and nutrition. The chapter highlights $429 million increase in NIFA's compe...
Atrazine is the single most widely used herbicide in sweet corn, accounting for only 9% of total weed management costs. The study found that phasing out atrazine would burden growers with particularly weedy fields and early season crop production.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found Sudangrass to be an effective solution for controlling Canada thistle, with a 95% control rate in test plots. The smother crop can be mowed and left as a surface mulch or grazed, making it suitable for both organic and conventional farmers.
Astronauts may soon have a sweet treat in space thanks to Purdue University's discovery of a low-maintenance strawberry cultivar. The Seascape strawberry meets NASA guidelines for space crops due to its ability to thrive under shorter daylight periods, reducing energy requirements and labor needs.
A team of scientists has turned an ornamental plant into a tool for combating citrus greening, a bacterial disease threatening the world's citrus crop. Periwinkle plants were found to be effective in screening treatments and responded well to antibiotic compounds tested to reduce infection rates.
The global biofuel drive poses a significant risk of eviction for African farmers as their lands are allocated for crop cultivation. Research highlights the need to consider the impact on food security, particularly in countries where food is scarce already.
A new calculator program helps farmers estimate crop yields and irrigation needs in semi-arid regions. The MultiCalculator CD uses three simple Excel spreadsheets to predict non-irrigated crop yields and estimate irrigation water needs, considering factors such as soil type, precipitation, and crop selection.
Researchers found that switchgrass can provide a suitable substrate for short-production-cycle woody crops, with fine-milled switchgrass being more consistent with normal nursery container substrates. The study showed that roses grown in switchgrass substrate had low to moderate levels of calcium and iron but were of high quality.
A recent study found that the Texas Pecan Promotion Program effectively increased demand for Texas pecans and total pecan sales over an 8-year period. The program generated a net revenue of $35 per checkoff dollar spent, benefiting mainly improved pecan varieties.
Growing energy crops like warm season grasses and short-rotation woody crops can promote long-term carbon sequestration and provide biofuel feedstock. Removing crop residues from fields, however, can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and reduced nutrient cycling.
Research found that spray gun technique and application rate significantly affect the effectiveness of pesticide deposition on ivy pot plants. The study suggests using a disc-core nozzle with high-pressure equipment to improve performance.
Researchers are studying plant stress response mechanisms to improve crop productivity and survival under drought and extreme weather conditions. By understanding how plants respond to different types of stress, scientists hope to develop new breeding approaches that enhance crop resilience without sacrificing yields.
Scientists found that prior herbicide use, rather than irrigation, is crucial to a herbicide's effectiveness and environmental impact. The study revealed that herbicides like atrazine degrade faster in fields with previous applications, leading to reduced weed control and deeper soil penetration.
This study investigates the impact of landscape position on biomass crop yield, finding that summit positions produce higher yields than flat areas. Corn stover yield is positively influenced by terrain slope, nitrogen, and soil darkness profile.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released new geospatial data products, including satellite images of agricultural land cover across most of the nation. These cropland data layers can be used to monitor crop rotation patterns, land use changes, and water resources.
Researchers have found a yeast called Pichia anomala that can compete with unwanted mold Aspergillus flavus for nutrients and space, reducing aflatoxin contamination in tree nuts by up to 97%. The versatile yeast may also protect other crops from various microorganisms.
Scientists at the University of York have created a genetic map for Artemisia annua, which will enable rapid improvement of the species and development of high-yielding crops. The project aims to meet soaring demand for effective malaria treatments by 2012, when production is expected to double.
A new miscanthus rhizome root harvester and planter will be unveiled at the Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium, reducing harvesting and planting costs by 50%. The Rizomgen Harvester/Planter package has shown a 200% increase in rhizome collection over manual systems.
A study by Oregon State University economists found that countries like France and the US fare well due to competitive crop production and few trade barriers. In contrast, low-income countries suffer from higher trade restrictions and below-average productivity.
A new study analyzes data from five continents to conclude that existing strategies can be used to predict, monitor and manage insect resistance. By understanding what accelerates and delays resistance, farmers can more effectively thwart pest resistance using tactics like refuge strategy and pyramided crops.
Researchers analyzed DNA sequences from two inbred corn strains and discovered significant differences, including the presence of unique stretches of genetic material. This diversity is believed to be behind hybrid vigor, which can improve crop traits such as protein content or biomass production.
A team of scientists, led by UCR professor Sean Cutler, has made significant discoveries on how plants survive drought using the stress hormone abscisic acid. Recent studies have built upon Cutler's initial findings, shedding light on the signaling pathway that enables plants to adapt to water scarcity.
A team of researchers completed the first draft of the cassava genome, which contains an estimated 95% of cassava genes. The availability of this sequence enables the development of a genome variation database to aid farmers in improving cassava resistance to CBSD.
The K-State team is developing tools that can predict the consequences of water policy decisions on communities. The interdisciplinary study examines how changes in policy and water use practices affect everything from land use practices to population shifts.
Researchers developed a dynamic tool, Trellis Tension Monitor (TTM), to estimate grape yields in trellised crops. The system detects weight change on trellised grapevines, enabling growers to create more efficient timetables for grape-picking operations.
Mechanical fruit thinning improves pecan yield and nut quality, leading to increased profit potential. The study found that thinned trees had a higher return crop value in the off-year, offsetting any loss in yield, resulting in overall increased profitability for 'Cape Fear' and 'Sumner' pecan varieties.
Applying reflective films to orchard floors increases fruit size and color, leading to increased profits for apple growers. The use of these films can result in a 26% increase in fruit picked at first harvest, meeting European Union grade standards.
A new report by NIST demonstrates that iris recognition algorithms can maintain their accuracy and interoperability with compact images, affirming their potential for large-scale identity management applications. The study's results show that two compression standards, JPEG2000 and PNG format, performed well in preserving image quality.
Researchers find that removing fruit from 'Pixie' mandarin trees reduces floral intensity of return bloom by inhibiting budbreak. Growers can investigate degrees of fruit thinning or pruning to mitigate alternate bearing, which is exacerbated by holding fruit on the tree to extend commercial harvest period.