Articles tagged with Food Crops
Researchers found that streptomycin, a widely used antibiotic in U.S. agriculture, impairs bumblebee behavior, including reduced foraging efficiency and slowed cognition. The study aims to understand the potential impacts on pollinators of antibiotic use in agriculture.
A group of plant pathologists have compiled a recovery plan to mitigate tar spot's impact on corn production. The plan reviews current knowledge and future needs, enabling the dissemination of best management practices across state lines.
Researchers confirm that Chevalier barley came from a single plant, analyzing seed samples older than 150 years. The study reveals how the single plant's genetic signature was preserved and used to create modern malting barley varieties.
The Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership will accelerate the application of biotechnology to enhance food and nutritional security in Bangladesh and the Philippines. The project aims to reduce pesticide use and improve farmers' livelihoods through the development of locally adapted eggplant varieties.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to combine two species of grass-like plants using embryonic tissue from their seeds, offering disease resistance and stress tolerance. The breakthrough technique allows for the addition of beneficial traits to monocotyledonous crops without genetic modification or lengthy breeding programmes.
Researchers have identified genes associated with spinach's resistance to downy mildew and its levels of oxalates. The findings could help breeders produce disease-resistant varieties with more consumer appeal, improving spinach's market prospects.
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.
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.
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.
The study provides insights into the genetic evolution and migration of chickpeas, offering a roadmap for improving the crop's nutritional value and climate resilience. Chickpeas are a main protein source for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in South Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world.
Researchers found that regular plants have distinct metabolic differences from CAM photosynthesis-adapted species, which could hinder efforts to bioengineer drought tolerance in crops. Understanding these differences is crucial for future research and potential crop improvement.
Researchers have identified a gene that regulates fruit softening independent of fruit ripening, allowing tomatoes to stay firm until consumption while maintaining flavor. The discovery could lead to increased shelf-life without sacrificing flavor, benefiting commercial producers and consumers alike.
Researchers identified climate-resilient root, tuber and banana crop varieties with flexible planting dates to adapt to warmer and wetter conditions. Cassava, banana, and sweet potato are most adaptable, while potato growing areas are vulnerable.
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.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment suggests that bioenergy crops can be produced on economically marginal land. The research team estimated that 1.4-2.2 million hectares in the rainfed region are suitable for bioenergy crop production on such land.
A new study by Tufts University researchers identifies a high risk of forced labor in US fruits and vegetables, with most food-country combinations coded as high risk. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers, farmers, and food companies to address systemic issues in food supply chains.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...
A new global risk index highlights the alarming decline of pollinators, which are crucial for food production and ecosystem services. The top causes of pollinator loss include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change, with serious consequences for human populations, particularly in the Global South.
A team of researchers measured the importance of CO2 obstacles in plant cells to improve crop productivity. The study highlights promising targets, including cell wall thickness, and found that variables like chloroplast area are less relevant.
Researchers from Louisiana State University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the process of photosynthesis, shedding light on a long-standing puzzle. The study reveals three transport proteins that facilitate the movement of bicarbonate into the compartment where Rubisco resides, a crucial step in carbon dioxide fixation. This b...
A recent breakthrough in plant growth has increased crop yields by 40% by creating a shortcut for a glitch that plagues most food crops. This technology, part of the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project, aims to improve photosynthesis and boost worldwide food productivity.
The Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project has received an additional $13 million to accelerate its progress in redesigning photosynthesis. The funding will be used to test model predictions in key crops and translate yield-boosting technologies more quickly, aiming to achieve a 50 percent yield increase.
The Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project aims to develop sustainable yield increases through engineered photosynthesis. With a five-year, $45 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others, RIPE seeks to provide new means to eradicate world hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
Michigan State University will lead a $10 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to explore ways to boost camelina oilseed's yield. The team aims to achieve up to a 300-percent increase per acre in oil production by studying the plant's metabolic and gene expression networks.
A long-term experiment found that plant mixtures with high diversity alleviated flooding effects on crops, while monocultures were more vulnerable. Soil properties improved in diverse mixtures, allowing for faster water drainage and higher oxygen levels.
Cassava is a crucial crop for 110% growth in global food demand, with potential for yield improvement through boosting sunlight conversion. Researchers are urging more research to address climate change and sustain yields.
Researchers are one step away from starvation due to increased global food demand and climate change. They are developing a method to engineer crops that can increase photosynthesis under high CO2 and temperature conditions.
The University of Maryland School of Public Health will lead a $10 million grant from the USDA to develop innovative, safe and sustainable ways to irrigate food crops in variable climates. The CONSERVE Center of Excellence aims to identify alternative water sources and new treatment technologies for contaminant-free irrigation.
Small farmers, often women, are preserving traditional crop varieties and landraces, providing vital resources for their livelihoods. Peri-urban and marginal locations are key areas where this preservation is occurring, with urban markets driving demand for local foodstuffs.
Scientists have developed tools to observe nitrogen uptake in real-time, improving understanding of the process and potentially increasing crop yields. The technology allows for the study of transport proteins involved in nitrogen absorption, enabling the development of more efficient agricultural practices.
A recent study under realistic field conditions found reassuringly low levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in crops grown with treated wastewater for irrigation. Leafy vegetables absorbed the highest amounts of PPCPs, including a medication for epilepsy; triclosan, an anti-bacterial ingredient; and caffeine.
Dozens of fires detected in southeastern Africa, primarily in Mozambique and Malawi, indicating intentional burning by farmers. The fires, mainly during the main growing season, have been linked to agricultural practices to enhance crop yields and manage land.
A study published in Nature Communications found that 24-39% of harvested areas experienced stagnation or decline in maize, rice, wheat, and soybean yields between 1961 and 2008. The findings highlight the need to shift focus from meat and biofuel production to food security, particularly for staple crops like wheat and rice.
The University of Illinois has received a five-year, $25-million grant to boost the efficiency of key food crops like rice and cassava through improved photosynthesis. This project aims to increase crop productivity while reducing water and nitrogen usage, addressing the challenge of global food security.
Researchers discovered that two nanomaterials, cerium oxide and zinc oxide, can profoundly alter soil-based food crop quality and yield. The study found that zinc oxide nanoparticles increased the level of zinc in plant tissues, while cerium oxide reduced nitrogen fixation, compromising soil fertility.
A recent literature review analyzed nearly 100 scientific articles on the effects of nanoparticles on edible plants. The study found that nanoparticle uptake and build-up vary depending on plant type, nanoparticle size, and chemical composition, highlighting a need for further research in nanoecotoxicology.
Research finds increased toxic compounds and decreased protein content in plants grown under high CO2 and drought conditions. Cassava yields may also be affected, highlighting the need for new crop cultivars to address future climate change.
Researchers found that MXC alters estrogen-regulated gene Hoxa10 in the reproductive tract, reducing embryo implantation ability. Exposure to MXC has been shown to induce abnormalities in female reproductive tract development and function.