Articles tagged with Crops
Researchers have identified a group of ribonucleases that play a role in self-incompatibility, a mechanism preventing plants from fertilizing each other. This discovery has the potential to enhance breeding strategies for coffee varieties.
A £1.8m UK project aims to identify genes that improve barley quality for whisky production, benefiting growers, producers, and drinkers, while supporting the Scottish agricultural economy.
A simple packaged intervention improved storage of groundnuts among farmers in Guinea, reducing aflatoxin levels by over half. The intervention significantly lowered disease burden related to the potent environmental toxin, which is associated with increased risk of liver cancer and impaired child growth.
Researchers found that soil quality played a crucial role in shaping Polynesian farming patterns, with farmers adapting their agricultural system to optimal zones for sweet potato cropping. The study suggests that the emergence of warrior classes was linked to surplus agriculture and the ability to produce basic foodstuffs.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has discovered a highly toxic byproduct in chloramines-treated water. Iodoacids have been found to be DNA-damaging and more toxic than previously regulated DBPs, raising health concerns and prompting calls for a delay in EPA's Stage 2 rule.
Researchers discovered a specific Mlo gene fragment in the genome of mutant barley, which enables plants to resist powdery mildew. The mutation is believed to have occurred less than 10,000 years ago in Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of preserving crop diversity.
The project aims to examine both natural and human factors that spread transgenes into non-engineered crops and natural populations. Biological scientists will collaborate with social scientists to develop a global model of gene flow, accounting for human and natural processes.
No-till farming reduces carbon emissions by retaining humus in the soil, preventing erosion and promoting healthy crop production. By adopting no-till practices, farmers can sequester up to 300 million tons of soil carbon annually, potentially delaying the need for fossil fuels.
Researchers explore new natural pesticides derived from plants and microorganisms to combat parasitic weeds that destroy large areas of crops. Scientists are developing broad-spectrum herbicides with targeted resistance to useful crops.
A UK public debate on GM food was evaluated as providing valuable lessons for future debates, but failed to engage the uncommitted public. The survey revealed that 36% opposed GM food, while 85% believed more research is needed on its health effects.
Researchers found that traditional Iroquois cropping systems, mimicking natural polycultures, outperform monoculture methods in controlling pests and diseases. The 'three sisters' system also promotes soil fertility through crop residue recycling.
Astronomers have discovered a possible link between a comet impact in the 6th century and the 'Dark Ages.' The comet's debris caused a prolonged cold period, similar to a nuclear winter, resulting in crop failures and widespread starvation. A small comet size was needed to cause such dramatic effects.
Fourteen individuals elected to Soil Science Society of America Fellowship for professional achievements and meritorious service in the field. The award honors outstanding contributions to agronomy and soil sciences.
Research reveals that mass flowering crops, such as oilseed rape, play a crucial role in enhancing bumblebee densities in agricultural landscapes. Contrary to previous assumptions, the availability of these crops at a landscape scale is essential for supporting pollinator populations.
A study of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, found that replacing tropical forests with crops can increase daytime temperatures and decrease nighttime temperatures. This occurs because crops are less efficient at cooling the air through transpiration, a process where water evaporates from leaves during photosynthesis.
A recent study by Colorado University-led researchers highlights the growing health risks associated with changes in the global nitrogen cycle. The excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers has led to increased crop production in poor nations but poses significant environmental and health concerns for humans worldwide.
Engineers studied the impacts of 9/11 on the World Trade Center, discovering factors that minimized infrastructure disruption. The study highlighted the importance of wireless communication, compartmentalized electrical systems, and heroic actions by utility workers.
Researchers have discovered that Solanum sisymbriifolium can eliminate potato cyst nematodes from the soil, which are difficult to control. By cultivating this plant between potato harvests, farmers may be able to reduce the need for pesticides and improve crop yields.
A policy report by Oregon State University professor Steven Strauss argues that government regulations on genetic engineering are stifling research and favoring large corporations. The report suggests reducing regulations for
Scientists emphasize the need for improved nitrogen management to address its impact on the environment, human health, and agriculture. Targeted research and educational programs can optimize fertilizer efficiency, reducing environmental damage and associated economic costs.
Researchers found liquid sewage sludge to be just as effective as traditional synthetic fertilizers in improving crop yields and nutrient content. The study also showed low levels of heavy metals in crops, groundwater, and soil, making it a promising environmentally safe alternative for waste disposal.
A recent study uses sunflowers to predict the likelihood of genes from hybrid crops entering wild populations. The research found that domesticated crop genes can persist even when hybrids perform poorly, suggesting a challenge for controlling their spread.
New research reveals that health problems among American Indians began thousands of years ago, with agriculture and urbanization contributing to a decline in overall health. Indigenous groups living along coastal areas had the healthiest skeletons, while nomads and rural settlers were also among the healthiest groups.
Mathematical theory explains how high dose/refuge strategy works, allowing farmers to protect crops in refuges. The analysis leads to unexpected results, including minimal impact of insecticides on refuge value for some Bt crops and pests.
A new study suggests that future extreme rain events could cause significant crop losses and damages, particularly in the US Corn Belt. The researchers used a modified crop model to simulate the effects of excess soil moisture on corn crops, finding potential damages up to $3 billion per year by the 2030s.
Climate change is expected to increase winter temperatures, leading to greater risks for perennial forage crops in Eastern Canada. The study used agro-climatic indices to analyze the effect of climate conditions on winter survival, finding increased risks due to warmer winters and reduced cold hardiness.
Illinois growers face significant economic losses due to Phytophthora capsici, a disease affecting pumpkins, peppers, and other crops. A crop can be lost in a week without intervention.
Illicit crops, particularly opium poppies, are expanding into critical bird habitats in the Andes region of Colombia. This could lead to devastating effects on forest-dependent bird species if the expansion continues.
The EO-1 satellite has produced over four times the expected volume of imagery, demonstrating the effectiveness of its Hyperion and Advanced Land Imager (ALI) instruments in monitoring Earth's surfaces. These instruments have already proven invaluable in applications such as forestry and agricultural crop assessment.
Researchers developed a formula to accurately determine water-use efficiency in typical soils, showing that no-till techniques can improve crop yields while reducing runoff and drainage losses. Soils with higher clay content and greater capacity to retain water produce better results, highlighting the importance of soil type management.
A new program helps protect Asian elephants from crop-raiding by implementing a coordinated effort to deter them, reducing farmer risk and protecting the environment. The initiative uses trip wires, sirens, spotlights, and firecrackers to scare off aggressive elephants, promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife.
The project aims to improve and conserve local, traditional crops being overlooked by major international research programs. Farmers will be actively involved in selecting and multiplying varieties of neglected crops, with new technologies for better cultivation and use.
Genetic modified organism (GMO) crops can benefit from a 'refugia strategy' that preserves susceptible insect genes. This approach aims to counteract potential insect resistance by allowing certain pests to survive and breed in GMO-free areas.
A study found that genetic traits from crops can persist in weeds for generations, potentially leading to hardy and hard-to-kill weeds. This raises concerns about the long-term impact of transgenic crops on weed populations.
Researchers found that bacteria thrived in around a third of common pesticides, with Shigella, E. coli, and Salmonella growing best on chlorothalonil. The risk of food poisoning could increase one-thousandfold if contaminated water is used on crops.
Scientists have identified genetic resistance to aflatoxin production in over five major crops, with commercially usable resistant varieties expected to be available soon. Crop management practices such as irrigation and early harvesting can also significantly reduce aflatoxin content.
A new study in Science predicts that genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops may severely reduce bird populations on a small percentage of farms, particularly those with high seed densities. The consequences depend on which farmers adopt the new crop types, with intensive farms experiencing more significant declines.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that managed honey bees pollinate over 50 crops worth $14.6 billion per year, a 36.3% increase from 1989. The contribution of honey bees to US agriculture is crucial for food production and security.
A recent study by Ohio State University suggests that evergreen trees can collect two to four times more pesticide spray droplets than broadleaf plants. The researchers recommend planting a line of evergreen trees around crops to reduce the movement of pesticide sprays outside their fields.
Two prominent entomologists warn that recent studies on genetically engineered crops have distorted the debate, potentially having profound consequences for science and public policy. The experts question the methodology used in these studies, particularly one claiming Bt corn kills monarch butterfly larvae in laboratory tests.
New methods using video cameras, spectral sensing, and satellites enable precise chemical applications targeting individual plants. These strategies optimize pesticide use on smaller scales, reducing risks.
The discovery provides evidence of a thriving agricultural practice before the village was buried by volcanic ash 1,400 years ago. The remains of the first chili bushes ever discovered at a Mesoamerican archaeological site reveal the villagers used sophisticated techniques and had a high biodiversity of crops.