Articles tagged with Crops
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.
A Rutgers University study reveals that volcanic eruptions can cool the climate, weaken monsoons, and reduce crop harvests, making dynasties more susceptible to collapse. The research suggests that smaller eruptions may cause dynasties to fall when political stress is already high.
A new Illinois study compares performance of static and dynamic nitrogen recommendation tools, finding that complex dynamic tools do not consistently increase profits but offer a 15% reduction in nitrogen leaching. The researchers highlight the need to refine these tools and prioritize environmental outcomes over economic gains.
Researchers have sequenced the Arabidopsis genome at unprecedented detail, shedding light on centromere evolution and revealing genetic and epigenetic topography. The findings provide insights into the genomic equivalent of black holes, a region that has long been challenging to analyze.
A genetic model for the 'ultimate' chickpea has been developed using AI, identifying gene combinations that can lift crop yields by up to 12%. The research consortium mapped thousands of chickpea varieties and used AI to predict optimal genetics for seed weight.
An international team sequenced 3,366 chickpea lines from 60 countries, identifying 29,870 genes, including 1,582 novel ones. The study provides a complete picture of genetic variation within chickpea and validated roadmap for improvement.
Farmers in the African Sahel have developed crop diversity strategies to cope with high seasonal variability and rising temperatures caused by climate change. By alternating long and short-cycle crop varieties, such as sorghum and pearl millet, they maintain food security despite changing environmental conditions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a central mechanism in plants that helps them deal with drought conditions and water shortages. They found that the ABA signal molecule is stored in inactive state in leaves and released under desired conditions, allowing plants to rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions.
A new viral disease caused by Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has emerged, threatening global tomato production. ToBRFV overcomes the durable Tm-2² resistance gene, which had remained unbroken for over half a century.
A team of scientists found that technology adoption as a water-saving method for improving irrigation efficiency is ineffective and can worsen water scarcity. The study suggests that modern irrigation technologies may only achieve a 10-20% saving under ideal conditions.
A team of WVU researchers has created a six-armed robot, StickBug, to assist with pollination tasks in greenhouse environments. The robot aims to improve food security during insect declines, support indoor agriculture, and provide services beyond what insects can do.
A recent study has revealed that Fusarium wilt of cotton is more aggressive and diverse than previously understood, affecting Pima and Upland varieties. The researchers identified a population shift towards FOV4, a fourth race of the fungus, which has overcome some resistance in commercial Pima varieties.
Researchers found that urban waste products applied to agricultural fields in France contained higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than livestock manures. The study also detected a shift towards more persistent PFAS compounds over time, raising toxicity concerns.
A global review found that 80% of crop diversity loss is due to economic, agricultural, technological, climatic, and political changes. Conservation efforts can mitigate losses by strengthening ex-situ repositories and duplicating unique collections.
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
Researchers warn that global warming could make the Amazon barren, the Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in by 2500. Climate models project a future where vegetation and crop-growing areas shift towards the poles, leading to drastic changes and potential human fatalities.
Researchers have assessed climate factors affecting tea growth and quality at nine locations in Kenya and Malawi, predicting substantial increases in heatwave days but declines in cold nights. The study suggests tailored interventions and plant breeding programs can help producers adapt to future climates.
A severe upsurge of desert locusts in 2019-2020 caused $3.4 billion to $10.21 billion in monetary losses and severe acute food insecurity for over 3 million people in Pakistan. The authors suggest improving the prevention system, developing compensatory measures, and increasing the use of alternative pesticides.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have identified proteins PYE and ILR3 that help protect plants from damage during iron deficiency. These proteins enable the plant to optimize its light protection mechanisms, allowing it to continue photosynthesizing without suffering tissue damage.
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
Pollinators contribute significantly to global food production, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely heavily on these services. The author emphasizes the need for increased support and research efforts to maintain biodiversity and improve crop yields.
ORNL is increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US agricultural sector through science-based changes in practices. The lab has discovered a single gene that can make crops more drought-tolerant and productive, while also pulling CO2 from the atmosphere.
Researchers investigate Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis (Pcal) interaction with cabbage and oats, discovering coronatine (COR) suppresses salicylic acid to aid pathogen growth. This finding opens doors to new disease control strategies.
Scientists have developed a method to produce strigolactones, a group of plant hormones that prevent excessive budding and branching. By combining yeast and bacteria, researchers can synthesize these hormones from microbes, providing a promising alternative to traditional methods.
A new chemical discovered by a UC Riverside team helps dormant seeds germinate, increasing crop yields and food supply. The compound, Antabactin, blocks ABA hormone receptors, allowing seeds to sprout in response to environmental stressors.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) will develop technologies connected to the internet and cloud to listen to and learn how plants sense and respond to their environments. This two-way communication system aims to help scientists improve crop management by better understanding plant biology.
A study found that gut microbiome profiles in children from the Democratic Republic of Congo reveal high glucosidase and low rhodanese microbes, which could increase susceptibility to konzo. The researchers plan to further investigate sibling pairs to confirm their findings.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to longer dry spells in tropical regions, causing important global crops like coffee and cocoa to suffer. This could result from hotter temperatures, increased number of dry days, and longer dry spell lengths, particularly during the dry season.
A new analysis platform developed by Ohio State University scientists combines genetics and phytochemical data to improve the health benefits of apples. The platform has potential to reduce breeding time and enable data-driven assessments of how to boost apple nutrition.
A new study introduces a wild-grass chromosome segment that inhibits nitrification, reducing fertilizer use and nitrous oxide emissions in wheat crops. The technology has the potential to increase yields and grain quality in both well-fertilized and nitrogen-poor soils.
Researchers have developed a way to bottle the 'smell of fear' produced by predators to repel and disrupt destructive insects. The odor blend can be used in essential oil diffusers to spread over time across gardens or fields, offering a natural alternative to pesticides.
A reservoir of genes allowing sorghum to adapt to environmental stresses has been identified from 13 contrasting genomes. This genetic diversity is valuable for breeders, enabling them to improve crop yield and resilience. The analysis, led by the University of Queensland, provides unprecedented insights into the genome's dynamic nature.
The New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute aims to integrate plant traits, communities, and the soil ecosphere to advance restoration of natural and agricultural ecosystems. The project seeks to understand how root traits influence plant interactions with each other and with the soil.
Long-term simulations show that smart land management, such as organic farming and protected refuge areas, can help stabilize threatened bumblebee species. Climate change is expected to have the strongest total effect on bumblebees, threatening many species.
A new study found that US-China trade tensions would lead to increased nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and irrigation water consumption in agriculture, affecting not only the two countries but also other nations through international trade.
A Rutgers-led study puts duckweed, a tiny freshwater floating plant, as an excellent laboratory model for discovering new strategies for growing hardier and more sustainable crops. The study suggests that duckweed's unique characteristics make it an ideal platform to discover novel strategies for improved plant growth.
Researchers at Cornell University have made a significant breakthrough in improving crop yields by enhancing photosynthesis. By removing the enzyme carbonic anhydrase from chloroplasts, scientists have found that plants can still undergo photosynthesis without compromising their growth, paving the way for more efficient food production.
Cornell University researchers used facial recognition AI to develop an imaging robot called BlackBird that scans grape leaf samples automatically, reducing manual assessment time from six months to one day. The technology has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars by detecting disease early and reducing fungicide usage.
A team of researchers from the University of York has identified a new class of enzymes that enable crop pathogens to break through plant cell walls and infect plants. The discovery could lead to effective disease control technologies and protect crops from devastating diseases such as potato late blight.