Articles tagged with Crops
Researchers explored potential policies to reduce nitrogen loss while protecting farmers' bottom lines. The study found that a nitrogen leaching fee policy showed the best outcome, with estimated cost savings of $524 million per year.
Researchers discovered hundreds of new gene functions in algae, which have counterparts in plants, enabling better understanding of photosynthesis, DNA repair, and stress responses. The findings can improve biofuel production and develop heat-tolerant crops.
Researchers have finally solved the structure of the plant protein NPR1, a key regulator of plant immunity. The new findings reveal that NPR1 forms a shape resembling a gliding bird and binds to molecules in the cell's nucleus to turn on immune genes. This breakthrough could lead to better crops with improved disease resistance.
A new study predicts that agricultural water scarcity will worsen in up to 84% of croplands globally by 2050, with green water availability changing under climate change. Effective solutions include conserving agricultural water through mulching, no-till farming, and improving irrigation infrastructure.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
A recent study found that native vegetation green roofs in New York City are more effective at managing stormwater runoff compared to conventional succulent-planted green roofs. The research used the Ranaqua green roof as a case study, which was constructed and monitored by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
Researchers propose that wildlife can return phosphorus to the land by restoring interconnected animal communities, revitalizing ancient pathways of natural fertilization. This approach aims to generate sources of fertilizer for farmers and increase ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.
A new study by University of Warwick researchers finds that the adoption of cereal crops is the key factor in the emergence of complex hierarchies and states. Contrary to conventional theory, high land productivity does not lead to the development of tax-levying states.
A team of researchers collaborated with small farmers in Egypt to identify the most nutritious and climate-adapted pumpkin varieties. The study found significant variation in nutritional value among different samples, allowing for accurate identification using genetic analysis.
Studies comparing cultivated apples to their primary wild progenitor, Malus sieversii, found that modern apples are larger and less acidic. They also exhibit improved storage capabilities, suggesting a significant difference in phenotypic traits between the two species.
Researchers examine the value of studying underutilized crops and identify specific genes that underpin their adaptive traits. The review advocates for extensive genome sequencing to breed favorable varieties with mainstream potential.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
The John Innes Centre researchers identified the role of the signaling protein CaM2, which regulates calcium channels and shapes calcium signals. This led to accelerated calcium frequency, earlier signaling with bacteria, and enhanced root nodule symbiosis in engineered legume roots.
Researchers at the University of Seville conducted a study on deficit irrigation for Sunchocola tomatoes, finding no significant changes in commercial quality but increased carotenoids and phenolic compounds. The results have significant nutritional importance and potential for global irrigation water savings.
Using insect exoskeletons and feces to promote sustainable crops could enhance plant growth, health and resilience. Insect-rearing byproducts may also act as pest control agents.
Researchers from Skoltech identified four genetic markers that can predict tocopherol composition in sunflower lines, which is crucial for producing high-quality dressing and cooking oils. This breakthrough discovery will help facilitate faster breeding of new varieties.
Scientists have discovered the orf137 gene responsible for male sterility in tomato plants, enabling the development of an efficient F1 hybrid breeding system. The study also demonstrates targeted mutagenesis and homologous recombination mechanisms underlying this trait.
A University of California, Davis study found that farms with surrounding natural habitat experience the most benefits from birds, including less crop damage and lower food-safety risks. The presence of natural habitat was the single most important driver differentiating a farm where wild birds brought more benefits than harm.
Researchers found that soybean plants adjacent to pollinator habitats produce larger seeds due to increased bee visitation. The presence of pollinators also influences the bee communities in soybean fields, with bees leaving for outside flowers less likely.
Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.
Researchers engineered Azotobacter vinelandii to produce ammonia and excrete it into crop plants, reducing water pollution. This approach could mitigate environmental pollution and provide sustainable solutions for nitrogen management in soil.
CROPSR, an open-source software tool, accelerates CRISPR experiment design and evaluation by addressing challenges in complex crop genomes. The genome-wide approach significantly shortens the time required to design a CRISPR experiment, reducing failed experiments.
The RIPE team has developed a toolkit for synthetic biology to test gene promoters before implementing them in long-term experiments. This allows researchers to save time and money by identifying the most effective promoters, which can improve photosynthesis and crop yields.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen find that pharmaceutical residues in sewage sludge and cattle manure do not harm soil organisms, despite concerns over environmental risks. Organic fertilizers like sludge and manure provide better soil quality than conventional mineral fertilizers.
Tomato plant varieties resistant to bacterial wilt have the ability to restrict bacterial movement in the plant. Researchers discovered that these plants synthesize reinforcement coatings containing ligno-suberin and related phenolic compounds, providing a physico-chemical barrier against pathogen colonization.
Researchers have created an environmentally friendly packaging material from apple waste, offering a potential alternative to plastic. The new material is made from apple pomace and has improved water resistance thanks to the incorporation of polymers and compounds.
Research reveals that approximately 3 out of 4 Fusarium infections of northern Vietnamese bananas are caused by F. tardichlamydosporum and F. odoratissimum, with wild bananas potentially acting as a sink for the disease. The study's findings suggest that concrete measures can be taken to control the future spreading of the disease.
A new study from the University of Waterloo provides a roadmap for faster improvements in water quality by tackling nitrogen legacies. The research recommends six steps to address this critical issue, which has persisted for decades due to excess nitrogen fertilizers.
A new study examines the toxic impact of bio-based substances and innovative technologies on the environment, finding both biosurfactants and microgels as highly promising candidates for use in sustainable products. The results highlight the importance of integrating green toxicology into bioeconomy strategies.
Researchers have discovered a spray-induced gene silencing technique that effectively controls late blight, a devastating disease affecting potatoes and tomatoes. This environmentally friendly method has potential to reduce the usage of chemical pesticides and can be quickly adapted for new targets.
University of Illinois researchers found a key gene responsible for increasing soybean protein content by approximately 2%. The discovery could lead to significant increases in protein production, addressing global food security issues. However, the gene's function is unclear and may involve the plant's circadian machinery.
A recent study revealed that current tomato cultivars are vulnerable to the emerging ToBRFV, a damaging virus affecting tomatoes and other crops. The research also developed a molecular detection tool to identify infectious virus particles carried on contaminated seeds.
The study analyzes the costs and effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures in agriculture, highlighting integration of different techniques as a key factor. Climate smart agriculture and conservation agriculture can provide benefits in terms of both adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
A new study finds that European diets must change to reduce climate impact, with feeding livestock low-opportunity-cost biomass offering a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The EAT-Lancet diet, which recommends reducing animal-source foods like red meat, is at odds with circular food systems that prioritize land use efficiency.
Research from the University of Georgia reveals that compounds used to fight fungal diseases in plants are causing resistance to antifungal medications used to treat people. The study found 12 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus resistant to both agricultural and clinical azole fungicides, suggesting a link between environmental and human...
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that applying dicamba at the latest growth stage and using a safener can help minimize injury to sweet corn. The results suggest that dicamba could be used safely in sweet corn with proper application timing and formulation, offering practical guidance for farmers.
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization has awarded more than $143,000 to three projects led by researchers in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. Guri Johal is developing a corn variant that could impact worldwide corn production with Trask funds supporting his project on clon...
A recent study found 24 different pathotypes of Phytophthora sojae in Quebec and Ontario compared to eight in Manitoba, indicating declining resistance to Rps genes. More than 85% of fields surveyed contained isolates that could overcome the Rps genes present in planted varieties.
A new analysis predicts climate change will decline suitable regions for coffee arabica, cashews, and avocados in major producing countries. Suitable areas may expand at higher altitudes and latitudes, particularly for cashews and avocados.
A new study by Washington State University scientists reveals that viral proteins interact with each other to disable plant defenses, allowing viruses to hijack their hosts. When some of these proteins are disabled, the virus cannot move from cell to cell, highlighting a promising approach to prevent crop losses.
Researchers from Hokkaido University have proposed a framework to clarify the distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genome-edited organisms (GEOs). The framework considers scientific, ethical, and social factors to determine whether an organism is a GMO or GEO. The proposal aims to enhance regulatory reliability...
Plant cells use RNA signals to coordinate growth, but these signals require a special escort protein to reach the right cells. Without this protein, plants fail to develop properly, highlights a crucial step in understanding how information is exchanged between cells.
Researchers found that half of Pseudomonas syringae strains benefited from the presence of aphids, but only the honeydew itself boosted bacterial populations. The study suggests using this phenomenon to develop alternative pest control methods.
Researchers from the University of Illinois developed a system using hyperspectral sensors on planes to quickly and accurately detect nitrogen status in corn crops. The technology achieved up to 85% accuracy and has potential for use in satellites, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about nitrogen side-dressing.
The £10m Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont aims to map associations between microbes and higher organisms to understand how they support each other. This knowledge can help manipulate the relationship to save species from extinction, grow crops more efficiently and restore habitats.
The University of Nebraska is at the forefront of a global on-farm research movement, where producers actively contribute to agronomic understanding. This approach has shown significant benefits, including improved soybean production and nitrogen management, resulting in increased yields and reduced costs.
A new study reveals that Xanthomonas euvesicatoria has evolved to evade the immune system of tomato plants by changing a single amino acid in its flagellin proteins. This finding poses significant challenges for breeding disease-resistant tomato varieties, forcing farmers to rely on fungicides and copper treatments.
Banana Blood disease has arrived in mainland Malaysia, spreading rapidly across the country and potentially threatening food security. The disease, first reported in Indonesia in 1905, has already devastated banana plantations in many parts of Southeast Asia.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a healthier form of tapioca starch by suppressing multiple genes that increase its resistance to digestion. The resulting starch is composed of longer chains with fewer branches, making it harder to digest and potentially improving intestinal function and blood sugar control.
A recent study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that climate change has contributed to a four-fold increase in crop pest and disease occurrence in China since the 1970s. The researchers attributed this rise to warmer night temperatures, which can foster an increased chance for pests and diseases.
A $19 million research project will investigate the connection between grazing management decisions and soil health, aiming to improve soil resilience and productivity. The project, led by Noble Research Institute, will provide farmers and ranchers with tools to measure outcomes of soil health in grazing land environments.
A recent study uses machine learning to rapidly discover bacterial isolates with antifungal properties, identifying promising new compounds for crop protection. The approach analyzes thousands of microbial genomes at once, allowing researchers to identify novel beneficial microbes and bypass traditional screening tactics.
Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.
Researchers created a single-cell map of corn's root, identifying key regulators of cellular diversity that help crops tolerate drought and flooding. The study found that the genetic regulator SHORT ROOT (SHR) plays a crucial role in expanding cortex tissue, leading to increased tolerance of climate stressors.
Researchers discover ways to generate clean energy from less-profitable farmland, restore habitat for grassland birds and create sustainable polymers. These breakthroughs could help achieve both renewable energy and conservation goals, as well as reduce future plastic waste.
Researchers have identified a key gene responsible for the pod-shatter resistance in OR88 rapeseed variety, which can help increase yields by up to 100%. The discovery paves the way for more efficient and cost-effective rapeseed cultivation.
Researchers have discovered that certain strains of Aspergillus can be used to degrade aflatoxins in crops, reducing the risk of food contamination. This biological control method utilizing biocontrol products is currently the most effective way to produce safe and healthy foods and feeds.
Researchers found that bacteria living inside plant roots trigger sulfur metabolism to produce antioxidants that detoxify the plant from salt-induced damage. This discovery could lead to breakthrough technologies for saline agriculture and improve food production in arid lands.
Researchers at Okayama University used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically edit barley, creating mutants that resist pre-harvest sprouting and can be promoted with cold temperatures or hydrogen peroxide treatment. This breakthrough has significant implications for high-quality barley production and could lead to improved beer quality.
A new study in India reveals that more than half of surveyed crop varieties are under threat of extinction, with 50% considered threatened across five different agroecological regions. The Varietal Threat Index methodology proposes a systematic way to monitor changes in varietal diversity on farms.